Two face Serious Fraud Office charges over alleged Ponzi scheme

Thomas Alexander Kokouri Tuira (also known as Alex Tuira) and Aroha Awhinanui Tuira each face 115 charges of obtaining by deception. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges and have been remanded on bail. Their next appearance is scheduled for 20 July 2023 at Christchurch District Court.

The pair, who are not registered financial service providers, claimed to be experienced investors who managed funds as well as offering financial advice and financial literacy training through their companies Ngākau Aroha Investments and Power To Me Aotearoa Tapui.

The Serious Fraud Office says from 2014 and 2021 the couple exploited their clients to obtain funds which were not invested legitimately, but instead used them to pay other investors in a Ponzi-type scheme or for personal and business expenses.