Fraud cash 'spent on grandkids'

A Waharoa grandmother convicted of a $46,000 benefit fraud says she used the swindled funds to support her grandchildren.

Tira Rawiri began paid work at Matamata's Te Kohanga Reo o Te Rau Aroha in September 2006 while continuing to receive an invalid's benefit.

On three occasions, between February 2007 and April 2008, Rawiri claimed she hadn't received any income while on the benefit. She was overpaid $46,148.

The 49-year-old was yesterday sentenced in the Morrinsville District Court to six months' community detention and 150 hours' community work after pleading guilty to three counts of dishonestly using a document and one of obtaining by deception.

Rawiri told the court her work at the early childhood centre had evolved from voluntary work to a paid position. Her circumstances had also changed when her grandchildren unexpectedly came to live with her.

Judge Peter Spiller noted a pre-sentence report recommended jail but acknowledged Rawiri's remorse and early guilty pleas.

Social Development Ministry lawyer Linda Moy said the overpayment would be recovered directly from Rawiri.

She had received the invalid's benefit since 1998.

- © Fairfax NZ News