The second defendant in a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) prosecution has pleaded guilty to charges relating to their role in a Ponzi scheme involving almost $4 million and more than 55 investors.

Aroha Awhinanui Tuira today entered guilty pleas to two representative charges of obtaining by deception in the Christchurch High Court.

The latest guilty plea follows that of her husband and co-defendant, Thomas Alexander Kokouri Tuira (also known as Alex Tuira), who earlier admitted two representative charges of obtaining by deception.

SFO Director Karen Chang said, “Ponzi schemes cause deep and lasting harm to victims, many of whom lose not only their money but also their trust in others. The guilty pleas in this case mean those affected will be spared the stress of a trial, and those responsible have been held to account.”

The offending occurred between May 2014 and May 2021, during which the pair deceptively obtained $3.9 million through 104 transactions. They portrayed themselves as experienced, well-connected investors able to deliver returns for clients, when in reality they were not investing the funds or operating an investment business at all.

Instead, the defendants used a Ponzi-type arrangement, paying some investors using funds from others and spent money on personal and business expenses.

The defendants primarily targeted members of the te ao Māori community and developed close personal relationships with the investors, many of whom had limited prior experience with investing. The fraudulent stratagem included taking advantage of these relationships.

Ms Chang said, “Fraud which leverages an affinity to a particular community can be especially destabilising to social fabric and damaging to trust. This case shows the harm that can occur when that trust is exploited. The SFO will continue to prioritise cases where communities or groups are targeted, particularly where those sectors may need extra protection, to ensure offenders are brought to justice and confidence can be restored.”

Mr and Mrs Tuira are due to be sentenced on 7 November 2025.

About the SFO 
The SFO is responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious or complex fraud, including bribery, and corruption in New Zealand. With a focus on maintaining integrity and trust in the financial system, the SFO has developed strategic areas of focus to ensure it has the greatest impact with the cases it takes on. 

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