Serepisos didn't have approval for long trip

Terry Serepisos. File photo / NZPA

Bankrupt former property developer and reality TV star Terry Serepisos didn't have approval to be out of New Zealand for as long as he was away, his lawyer says.

Serepisos was arrested at Wellington Airport on Monday night returning from Greece and taken to court the next day over child support for his 19-year-old son.

Serepisos said he was away in Greece looking after his mum.

Bankrupts going overseas require the approval of the Official Assignee, which would not confirm yesterday if it had given Serepisos approval for the trip or how the travel was funded.

Serepisos's lawyer John Langford said today that his client did have approval to travel but not for the length of time he was away.

"He did have approval for travel but it wasn't for the specific date on which he departed and he envisaged only being away for two weeks but he was away more than two months and he didn't have approval either to be away so long," Langford said.

The OA - which manages personal insolvencies - confirmed yesterday it had objected to Mr Serepisos' release from bankruptcy, which would normally last for three years.

Declared bankrupt in 2011 owing about $203 million, Mr Serepisos was due to be discharged this October - until the OA filed the formal objection with the High Court at Wellington.

"This means that he will not be automatically discharged from his bankruptcy when he becomes eligible for discharge on October 7, 2014," an OA spokesman said yesterday.
Langford said the objection appeared to relate to the travel, though he didn't know for certain.

"There was no suggestion they were going to object until he took off on that travel and then it's come up, so I guess you could put two and two together but I can't say for sure," he said.

Langford said there was meeting with the OA tomorrow which could "iron out a few misunderstandings".