Inquiry into church's spending requested

The Auditor-General has been asked to investigate how more than $500,000 of taxpayers' money granted to a Porirua church-run preschool has been spent.

There are now concerns that parishioners at the Christian Congregational Church of Samoa in Kapuni Grove may seek a bank loan of up to $100,000 to complete the project.

This has prompted some church members to ask for an urgent audit of the books.

The church previously courted controversy over parishioners being asked to gift $20,000 to pay for Reverend Popo Su'a to travel to Samoa.

At least two tradesmen are owed more than $24,000 by the Ketesemane Aoga Amata committee, responsible for the project.

The Education Ministry granted $401,458 in 2001 but a quantity surveyor advised that the first site was unsuitable.

The church took a loan to pay for the Mungavin Ave site in 2002. The ministry provided another $156,557 so the church could be reimbursed and work could continue.

An independent architect supervised progress and a quantity surveyor held the purse strings, paying out as milestones were met.

The church must pay 10 per cent of the preschool bill and has a project management role which should reduce their share by about $16,000.

But some parishioners are questioning how the project has been run and why they need a loan, which they say they will be asked to pay off through donations that are read aloud at church.

One parishioner has refused, saying: "I'd rather use my $10 to pay for bread and milk for my children."

Assistant Auditor-General Wendy Venter said the office would ask education officials for more information before deciding whether an inquiry was warranted.

Porirua City Councillor Litea Ah Hoi said she asked for an audit because she believed education officials had failed to properly monitor the project.

Education Ministry spokeswoman Janine Hearn said the project had faced extra difficulties because of the site change.

The ministry's focus was on ensuring the building was finished and the early childhood centre opened, she said.

- NZPA