Hotchin had removal company booked

Mark Hotchin. Photo / Richard Robinson.

Former Hanover Finance boss Mark Hotchin had already arranged for a removal company to pick up household items before a court order froze his New Zealand assets.

The order was made while the Securities Commission investigates Hanover and its former directors.

The High Court at Auckland was told this week that Mr Hotchin arranged for a removal company to pack up his family's household effects, but that was cancelled when the court order was issued this month.

The commission obtained the freezing order to preserve Mr Hotchin's assets in case any of the 16,500 out-of-pocket Hanover investors bring civil claims against Hanover and its directors. Hanover Finance froze $554 million of investors money in 2008.

Lawyers for Mr Hotchin have been in court this week trying to have personal items shipped to Australia, but those attempts were largely rejected.

He was seeking personal items such as clothes and photographs because the family had been living out of suitcases while they were on the move, according to court documents.

They are now living in a three-storey mansion in an exclusive area of Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast.

The commission didn't oppose his getting personal items but sought to stop him taking items with a substantial value such as furniture, art and jewellery.

Justice Helen Winkelmann said she accepted "without hesitation that the family should have access to all other household and personal items".

She said a decision would be made on February 14 on what furniture, jewellery and art could be sent to him.

Mr Hotchin also lost a bid to have a $200,000 Mercedes-Benz and a 2004 Porsche Cayenne, worth $90,000, shipped to him.

The court heard he had access to A$240,000 ($322,000) not covered by the court order which Justice Winkelmann considered "more than sufficient" to settle outstanding accounts and living expenses.

As well as disclosing that his living expenses were $6700 a week, made up by $1600 to his former wife and money for his parents-in-law, details of a significant tax bill were also revealed.

The Securities Commission has allowed him $1000 a week.

Mr Hotchin would not comment when approached by the Herald in Australia this week, saying it was before the courts.

His bid to overturn the freezing order will be heard on February 14.