Winz manager stole $210k: police

Police laid charges against both the case worker and his wife. Photo / Thinkstock

A 42-year-old Work and Income case manager has been charged with fraud after it was revealed he allegedly stole $210,000 in benefit money.

The theft was uncovered by the Ministry of Social Development's internal fraud unit and is the second largest case of internal fraud in the ministry's history.

Police, who executed search warrants on the man's home, laid charges against both the case worker and his wife. The pair have appeared in the Auckland District Court.

Chief executive Brendan Boyle said the ministry had a "zero tolerance" policy towards fraud and treats cases extremely seriously.

"Each year we check 538 million records through data mining and other fraud detection programs. We found this [case] through these checks."

Mr Boyle said he was angry and disappointed at the 42-year-old case manager's actions.

"People who steal from the welfare system are stealing money from the pockets of hard-working Kiwis.

"The actions of a single person can cast a shadow across the honesty of the rest of our workforce," said Mr Boyle.

He said the ministry would continue to work closely with police on the investigation.

"The investigation will also include ... how the fraud was carried out and how we can strengthen measures to prevent it happening again.

"I'm determined that all those involved will face the full weight of the law," he said.