From typing class to Iwi trust learns from multimillion-dollar fraud boss of top tech firm
‘‘His belated change of plea to the charges leaves a very hollow feeling now.’’ Mike Neho
As a student at Waitara High, Steve Collett took typing classes to meet girls and had no interest in computers.
So his teachers may be surprised to discover the 49-yearold is now the new boss of Taranaki’s award-winning tech company OurCloud.
‘‘I took typing, so I could hang out with chicks,’’ he said.
Computers weren’t on his radar in the late 1980s, even they were just beginning to appear in his classrooms.
Since then, the keen fisherman has taken a winding route to the information technology sector and is now a confirmed IT enthusiast – able to talk on the subject for what might seem like hours for those not quite as engaged in computers as he is.
Before taking to tech, he was primarily working in construction. But in 2001 he decided he wanted to do something new.
A friend asked him what he was doing in construction when the place to be was in IT, an industry booming like never before.
‘‘I very quickly took to it and just had the head for it,’’ Collett said.
His computing career began in the IT department at Bell Block’s Pacific International Hotel Management School.
He then spent eight years working for Powerco before joining the OurCloud team on the ground floor in 2014 as a senior virtualisation consultant.
Three years later he was the technical operations manager, which lead to his new role as general manager.
OurCloud currently services more than 150 customers across Taranaki and outside the region, focusing primarily on technology for businesses.
And while Collett can give you a detailed description of the IT packages the company offers, he’s also adept at summarising for those who aren’t so techsavvy.
‘‘From the internet to cellphones and everything in between,’’ he said.
The head of an iwi trust that lost millions of dollars through the fraudulent activities of its former financial adviser was ‘‘bitterly disappointed’’ by his actions, which have left a hollow feeling.
Mike Neho, tumu whakarae of Taranaki iwi Ngā Rauru Kı¯tahi’s trust Te Kāhui o Rauru, said there have been ‘‘learnings’’ taken from the fraudulent activities of Te Whitinga Mark Huirua.
Huirua pleaded guilty in the High Court at Whanganui last week to various charges related to his involvement with Ngā Rauru Kı¯tahi.
Huirua, 58, had earlier pleaded not guilty and was due to stand trial in 2022, but changed his pleas after some charges were amended and others dismissed.
His fraudulent activity ended with $3.1 million of iwi money being lost. Huirua used $500,000 for personal expenses and lost $2.6m in trading, but never told the trust of the losses.
Neho said the fraudulent activity had been picked up by a routine audit and referred to police.
While originally denying the charges, Huirua changed his plea and will be sentenced in April.
‘‘His belated change of plea to the charges leaves a very hollow feeling now,’’ Neho said.
‘‘Learnings have come from this case and a number of changes to the iwi’s investment framework and financial systems have been made.’’
Neho did not want to comment further on the case until after Huirua’s sentencing.