Pipi books 'inadequate'

A Wellington accountant told an Auckland court yesterday that the financial records of MP Donna Awatere Huata's taxpayer-funded Pipi Foundation had not been properly kept.

Barrie Skinner told a depositions hearing in the Auckland District Court that after examining the foundation's ledger book, he concluded that the records were clearly inadequate.

Awatere Huata, 55, faces 11 fraud charges and her husband, Wi Huata, 43, faces six. They also face one charge each of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Skinner said Awatere Huata approached him in January last year to do a review of taxation issues and the foundation's financial state.

He asked the foundation for information so outstanding tax returns could be completed but, after numerous requests, nothing was provided.

The Serious Fraud Office alleges the Huatas fraudulently took almost $95,000 from the Pipi Foundation, a trust set up to promote a reading programme.

- NZPA