Awatere Huata charged with tax offences

Donna Awatere Huata

Donna Awatere Huata has been charged with tax offences after allegedly failing to file tax returns for three years.

The Inland Revenue has alleged Awatere Huata, who last month left prison for home detention at Bridge Pa, near Hastings, did not file a return for the financial years ending in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Awatere Huata, whose occupation is listed as "former parliamentarian", will appear at the Hastings District Court on June 30.

Awatere Huata and her husband, Wi Huata, were found guilty last year of fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to over $80,000 taken from the government-funded Pipi Foundation - set up to help under-privileged Maori children.

She was sentenced to two years and nine months prison. Huata was sentenced to two years but granted bail to care for the couple's children.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY