Former general manager has assets frozen

The former general manager of a prominent publishing firm has had her assets frozen amid allegations around more than half a million dollars missing from the company.

Employment Court judge Christina Inglis froze the assets of Auckland woman Norah Tither, known as Laura.

Tither worked for Horton Media for more than 12 years.

The company was formed in 1997 by one of the families which ran the New Zealand Herald in its early days.

According to court documents, Tither is accused of depositing the money into bank and credit card accounts jointly held by her and her husband Gordon.

Horton Media claimed the amount taken was $638,586 but the original statement lodged with the Employment Relations Authority put the figure at $500,000. Tither and Horton Media had agreed the court's freezing order would only apply to $428,322.

In Inglis' judgment, Tither accepted Horton Media had a "good arguable case" and consented to the freezing order.

"[She] also acknowledges that the applicant considers there is a danger that she will dissipate or dispose of assets."

Bill Deed, who with wife Ngaire own 49 per cent of Horton Media-owned Waiuku Publishing, said they had lost "hundreds of thousands" of dollars.

A Counties-Manukau police spokeswoman said no complaints had been lodged about Tither.