$300k theft stuns Hawke's Bay firm

A Hawke's Bay family orchard and packhouse company has lost an estimated $300,000 as the result of a series of fruit and vegetable thefts by a female employee who had worked for the company since leaving school 15 years ago.

Teokotai Mokotupu, 32, of Flaxmere, has admitted a charge of theft by a person required to account, between January 12, 2010, and May 9 this year.

She was the logistics manager for Moffett Orchards, of Korokipo Rd, Fernhill, where she had been a trusted employee along with her mother, who had been working for the company for about 20 years.

Both have lost their jobs as a result of the thefts which stunned the Moffett family, as the first doubts arose and then as the extent of the rort was discovered.

Joe Moffett, who with two brothers runs the business which was started by father and former Irish rugby international Johnathon Moffett 38 years ago, said the first questions were raised when they were unable to explain "fruit in the market that shouldn't have been there".

An investigation revealed amounts of stolen product were being dispatched to associates around the North Island and Mokotupu was receiving the proceeds.

At Napier District Court, Crown prosecutor Nicola Graham said the loss comprised an estimated $147,000 in apples, melons and corn and about $153,000 in crates which had not been returned.

Joe Moffett said: "She had worked for us all of her working life. We saw them (Mokotupu and her mother) as pretty key employees, and it was a good family unit."

He described the impact as "pretty hard" and "a blow for us morally," but added: "We've got to put it behind us and move on".

The company has about 15 permanent employees and up to 50 seasonal workers at peak times.

While reparation is being sought, police see little prospect because Mokotupu appeared to have few assets.

She was remanded on bail for sentencing on January 16.