Documents forged ‘out of respect’
It was out of respect for her elders that a woman used a forged document to help fast-track an elderly man’s disability allowance.
Despite not receiving any money herself, Ngawai Patricia King used her own power bill in the man’s application and said she believed it was the right thing to do.
King works at the administrative desk for Tanenuiarangi Manawatu¯ , an organisation that provides services such as assisting kauma¯tua to make applications for appropriate benefits. The Palmerston North District Court yesterday heard King had acted alone and without the knowledge of the organisation when filing the man’s application in 2016.
She was ordered to complete 200 hours’ community work, which the judge said would affect her chance of future employment.
Among the documents she filed was a three-page transaction history purporting to show 12 months of electricity bills from Contact Energy for the organisation’s Maxwells Line flat, where the man lived. But it was later revealed the document showed her own year of power bills.
King denied forging the bill and said it was emailed by Contact. She downloaded and printed it and attached it to the man’s application without examining it.
At a trial before a judge, a witness from Contact said the document King attached to the application wasn’t of a format the power company used.
The Ministry of Social Development is undecided about whether it will allow King to act as an agent for other elderly clients.
Defence lawyer Paul Murray said his client hadn’t gained financially from the offending: ‘‘She thought she was doing the right thing for him.’’
Judge Stephanie Edwards said King had no relevant previous convictions, but warned her that it would affect future employment.
‘‘This has not resulted in any financial benefit for you personally,’’ the judge said.
‘‘For you, it was about respect for your elders and assisting them in any way you could.’’
The Tanenuiarangi Manawatu¯ organisation works under Rangita¯ne o Manawatu¯ and is based at Te Hotu Manawa Marae.