Pikia under fraud investigation [1]
Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - 18:20. Updated on Thursday, June 29, 2017 - 09:27.
Roger Pikia, the head of a New Zealand Maori tribe that owns the operation of over 700 hectares of forestry in ‘Eua, is under fraud investigation.
Pikia heads the Tahu Whaoa tribe in the North Island of New Zealand, he is also the Chairman of the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust, which is entrusted with millions of dollars to care for sections of the Waikato River.
New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), is investigating alleged fraudulent activities by Pikia relating to the misuse of funds belonging to the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust. He is accused of using the funds to make investments and purchases, possibly including the purchase of Tonga forestry in ‘Eua. SFO raided the headquarters of the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust last Thursday.
In 2016, the Tonga Government signed a multi-million dollar deal with Tahu Whaoa allowing the tribe to take control of Tonga Forestry. As part of the deal, Tahu Whaoa covered over $2.6 million debts of Tonga forestry and agreed to pay a further $3.5m in return for control of the forestry operation.