Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Liquidator completes report on hearing association

Updated at 3:57 pm on 2 September 2009

The liquidator of the Whangarei Hearing Association has completed a 22-month inquiry into its financial collapse.

Members complained in 2005 that new managers, Mark Whitfield and Erika Kemp, were selling the society's assets and squandering funds.

The High Court put the branch into liquidation, citing gross financial mismanagement and irregular transactions by the couple.

Liquidator Steve Bennett says the inquiry was lengthened by the time it took to get answers from Mr Whitfield and Ms Kemp, but he has now sent his report to the Companies Office.

He says the Whangarei Hearing Association lost more than $300,000 - 60% of its assets - while they were in charge.

Mr Bennett says it is now up to the investigations unit of the Companies Office to decide if they should face fraud charges.

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