More arrests expected over 'Maori Police' scam

Gisborne police say they are confident of making further arrests in connection with a scam in which people posed as police for the self-styled Maori Government of Aotearoa.

Senior Sergeant Maui Aben said police were seeking three Gisborne men in connection with the incidents, in which moteliers had been presented with invoices for rent by men wearing black uniforms bearing the word "police" on them.

"We haven't made any further arrests but we know who we are looking for. It's just a matter of finding them," said Mr Aben.

They claimed to represent the "Maori Government of Aotearoa" but police said it did not appear to be a political stand. Sue Nikora, 69, was yesterday arrested and charged with being a party to the offence of impersonating a police officer. She is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on Friday.

It is understood she had been using the title "prime minister of the Maori Government of Aotearoa".

In the scam, the men turned up at motels and presented invoices for "rent" - one motelier being charged $600 for a week. One Gisborne motelier presented with an invoice had the cost slashed in half after telling the men the business had Maori affiliations.

Mr Aben did not think there were any more people involved in the scam than the three being sought.

- NZPA