About This Investigation

A comprehensive examination of systemic corruption in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, spanning 77 years from 1947 to present day.

Investigation Overview

This archive documents a network of interconnected fraud schemes, corporate manipulation, and institutional capture operating across Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The investigation reveals how a small group of professional services providers—accountants, lawyers, and trustees—have systematically extracted wealth from individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations over multiple generations.

The evidence spans from the 1947 Papa Winikerei land fraud case through to the December 2024 DIA corruption charges, demonstrating a continuous pattern of financial exploitation that has operated largely unchecked for nearly eight decades.

Key Findings

Gaming Trust Manipulation

Eight individuals charged in December 2024 for operating a "network of corruption" involving Hawke's Bay gambling trusts. The Infinity Foundation alone made $1.5 million in questionable payments identified by auditors.

Professional Services Cartel

Oldershaw & Co accountants and Langley Twigg lawyers operate as interconnected nodes, with 144 companies registered at the Langley Twigg address (66 West Quay) and NIT trustee companies holding shares in both firms.

Trust Fund Theft

Lawyer Gerald McKay sentenced to 4.5 years for stealing $566,900 from family trusts. Victims described him treating their trust funds "like an ATM." McKay Hill companies now removed from Companies Register.

Fishing Industry Consolidation

The Jenssen family fishing empire, connected to Oldershaw & Co, has consolidated significant quota holdings through a network of companies including Sea Ventures (80% owned by Lawrence Willis) and Deep Sea Fisheries.

Investigation Timeline
1947

Papa Winikerei Land Fraud

First documented case of Māori land fraud involving professional services providers in Hawke's Bay.

2008

Hawke's Bay DHB Board Sacked

Government report reveals governance failures and conflicts of interest leading to entire board dismissal.

2011

Rodney Green Pokie Fraud Charges

Napier businessman faces first fraud charges related to gaming machine operations.

2016

Gerald McKay Convicted

Napier lawyer found guilty on 11 charges of theft from client trust accounts, sentenced to 4.5 years.

December 2024

DIA Corruption Charges

Eight people charged in "network of corruption" involving Hawke's Bay gambling trusts, including Patrick Dennehy, Ashley Oldershaw, and Rodney Green.

Methodology & Sources

This investigation relies exclusively on publicly available official sources to ensure verifiability and accuracy:

  • Companies Office - Company registrations, director appointments, shareholding records
  • Charities Services Register - Charity registrations, annual returns, officer details
  • Department of Internal Affairs - Press releases, regulatory actions, gaming trust oversight
  • Court Records - Judgments, sentencing notes, criminal convictions
  • News Archives - NZ Herald, Stuff, Hawke's Bay Today coverage
  • Government Reports - DHB governance reviews, OIA responses, regulatory findings

All evidence screenshots are timestamped and include source URLs for independent verification. The archive contains 121 synthesized documents drawing from 131 source files totaling 6.6 MB.

Important Notice

This archive presents documented evidence from official public sources. Where individuals have been charged but not yet convicted, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The connections and patterns identified represent the investigator's analysis of publicly available records. Readers are encouraged to verify all claims using the provided source links and form their own conclusions.