Social worker ordered to pay patient $100k

Ms Nikau accepted cash and gifts from 'Mrs A'. File photo / Kenny Rodger

A social worker, who took about $55,000 worth of cash and gifts from a mentally ill patient, has been ordered to pay her $100,000 in damages by the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Parehe Nikau, also known as Polly Haenga, took the gifts from the complainant, referred to as Mrs A to protect her identity, in 2008.

The gifts included a cheque for $20,000, about 20 pairs of shoes, 40 pairs of underwear and 20 items of clothing.

Ms Nikau was assigned to look after Mrs A, who was aged 63, in August 2008.

Mrs A had a long history of mental health issues and had been treated for depression and a moderate bipolar condition.

Ms Nikau said Mrs A was "manipulative" and insisted on giving her the gifts. She said she never asked for or wanted any of the gifts.

However, Mrs A said Ms Nikau had asked for all the gifts.

"I consider it was Parehe Nikau blackmailing me - deceitfully and very skilfully - by gradually gaining my respect," she said.

In coming to its decision to issue damages the tribunal said "there is no doubt that the defendant took advantage of her position as a caregiver to enrich herself at the complainant's expense."

The tribunal ordered Ms Nikau to pay damages of $100,000, including $50,000 for the total value of the gifts, taking into account $5000 already paid, a further $30,000 for emotional damages and $20,000 for the "flagrant" disregard of her patient's rights.

Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill welcomed the tribunal's decision and said the size of the award reflected the seriousness of Ms Nikau's behaviour.

"This was a very serious breach of trust, and the size of the award reflects the extent of the manipulative behaviour and the distress it caused a very vulnerable person," Mr Hill said.

"One of saddest things about this case is that the victim now feels guilty about losing the inheritance her father had left her, losing his hard-earned money," he said

- NZPA