Double trouble at the bank for a man of many parts

Peter John Reyland of Dargaville would like it on the record: he is not a criminal.

That is, Peter John Reyland, 43, not Peter John Reyland, 37, also of Dargaville, who is wanted after failing to turn up at a High Court drug trial in Hamilton.

The 37-year-old Reyland is charged with manufacturing heroin and methamphetamine. Even the 43-year-old Mr Reyland says the coincidence, which has led to his bank accounts being frozen, is remarkable.

"My main concern is that people out there must think it's me. They should be aware there's another one."

The name has caused upset recently for the Hukatere farmer, who also sells real estate, has a forestry contracting gang and is a wood sculptor.

"He's a man of many talents," his wife Suzie said. "He dabbles in a lot of things - but definitely not methamphetamine."

Mr Reyland said when he first heard the news of his namesake on the radio a few weeks ago, he told people he was working with: "Looks like I'm on the run".

"Then I used my eftpos on the way home and it didn't work, which I thought was strange.

"I went to use the on-line banking that night and I found I couldn't pay my workers their wages. I rang the helpline number and was told there was a hold on all my accounts."

The bank was told about the error and unfroze the accounts the next day amid apologies and the presentation of flowers and wine.

- NZPA