Passport scam accused faces 36 new charges

Gerrard Otimi's supporters say the courts have no jurisdiction over judge tikanga Maori. Photo / Greg Bowker

The man behind an alleged scam that charged people hundreds of dollars for passport stamps is now facing 39 fraud-related charges.

Gerrard Otimi made a brief appearance at the Manukau District Court this morning and was charged with 36 new charges relating to the alleged alteration of Samoan passports in June.

When he last appeared in court, Otimi was charged with just three charges of deception.

Today Otimi - appearing on behalf of himself - initially refused to stand in the dock until the judge ordered him to do so.

He asked Judge Anna Johns if she ordered him to stand in the dock. She said she did.

The small courtroom was packed by Otimi supporters, some of whom had protested at the recent Taito Phillip Field case.

Police have indicated that they will disclose evidence to Otimi within three weeks.

Otimi will next appear on August 26.

Police executed three search warrants in June and found $40,000 cash and $5,000 blank hapu certificates.

Ngati Maniapoto's Tom Roa, who knows Otimi, said in June that he has never heard of Otimi's hapu.

"I find it difficult to follow this. The tikanga of adoption is longstanding but I don't know of a tikanga that's about hapu adoption. It's not a simple thing of getting a piece of paper to say you're a part of my hapu.

"The onus is on the person doing the adopting, not expecting money. You adopt them and make sure you look after them."

He described Otimi as an entrepreneur, not an activist.