Carterton's William Joseph Reriti, 26, facing five charges of misleading a social welfare employee and two of using a document for pecuniary advantage, has been remanded at large without plea to reappear on September 2.
Phillip Pirere of Masterton, 58, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of misleading a ministry employee. He has been remanded to reappear on September 3 before a defended hearing date of September 16.
Masterton man Ritchie Alfred Waipuka, who is facing five counts of misleading a ministry employee, has also been remanded without plea until September 2.
Pasia Manesa, 37, of Masterton is yet to plead to one charge of misleading and four of using a document to gain pecuniary advantage and has also been remanded until September 2.
Meanwhile, a 31-year-old Masterton woman who has been granted interim name suppression on one charge of misleading to gain finance and four counts of misleading a ministry staff member has been remanded at large to reappear on September 2 to plead to the charges.
Ministry of Social Development general manager integrity services Kate Wareham said the agency took benefit fraud very seriously.
Most people receiving benefits did the right thing, notifying of changes that could affect their payments or entitlement.
But for the small number who didn't, be warned because the the ministry is taking a proactive and targeted approach to managing the risk of benefit fraud.
"Our message is simple - there is no excuse for fraud," Ms Wareham said.
Partners of those wrongfully collecting benefits aren't exempt from facing charges either. New legislation came into effect last month making both parties to benefit fraud responsible - meaning partners can also face charges before the court.
The ministry used a range of techniques to detect benefit fraud, including data matching with six government agencies, Ms Wareham said.
Most of the cases in Masterton District Court recently resulted from information sharing with Inland Revenue, she said.
"We have an intelligence unit that supports investigations and identifies tools and systems to counter fraud and we operate a public allegation line that provides tips and information."
In the past two years they had implemented a range of initiatives as part of the Government's fraud reforms aimed at detecting welfare fraud and improving the collection of debts including the introduction of an "active management programme for low-trust clients", Ms Wareham said.
Meanwhile, if women find themselves in a situation where their partner refused to support them or their family, be honest and talk with your case manager, she said.
"Assistance is available for those in genuine need."
