Runanga treasurer jailed over thefts to feed gambling habit

A respected Maori businesswoman was yesterday jailed for three years for plundering runanga funds to feed her $1.6 million gambling habit at the Christchurch Casino.

Maria Tait, 54, had earned plaudits for introducing strict financial governance at the Tuahuriri Runanga (authority) in North Canterbury, to deal with its share of dividends from Ngai Tahu's treaty settlement.

But Christchurch District Court Judge David Saunders told her she proved incapable of practising what she preached when her gambling habit became out of control.


"For someone who has ability, skill and understanding about what financial governance is, you ignored all that when it came to you trying to obtain money for your own needs," he said yesterday.

Tait, at the time an iwi liaison officer at Christchurch City Council, had been honorary treasurer at the runanga when she began pilfering funds.

Her casino loyalty card showed she had a turnover of $1.6 million at the Christchurch Casino, including up to $54,000 on one day.

Tait denied any dishonesty and claimed the $186,000 she gained was payment for governance manuals she was working on for the benefit of the runanga and repayments for runanga fees she had paid from her own pocket.

Her claim was rejected by Judge Saunders, who presided over the fraud trial without a jury.

James Rapley, defending, said Tait had been universally regarded as a tireless worker at the runanga but now felt whakama (shame) after publicity about her dishonesty.

Judge Saunders said Tait had been brought down by her addiction to gambling, which she used as a refuge from the politics of the runanga affairs. However, he said she had been a principal cause of divisiveness at the runanga through working without the executive's knowledge or approval and through failing to resolve concerns about the runanga's finances.

"You allowed a shambolic system of record keeping, there were quite inadequate controls on the way finances were dealt with and you have to carry a large amount of responsibility for that," he said.

"Apart from this offending you have led an otherwise blameless life in the community.

"There is no real likelihood of reparation being paid. You face a large debt from Inland Revenue, your house has been sold and there are no assets to be restrained upon for the benefit of the runanga."

The judge said a jail term was in order to deter others.

Tait showed little emotion as she was sentenced.

- NZPA