Fraud accused returns to NZ

Tony Peers left New Zealand more than a decade ago after racking up debts worth tens of thousands of dollars. He’s now returned home from the UK, where his business plans also went awry. Amy Ridout reports.

A man with a long record of debts and failed businesses has returned to New Zealand, skipping a court hearing in the United Kingdom, where he is wanted on fraud and theft charges.

Tony Peers returned to New Zealand in February and recently told Stuff he had been in a bad marriage, and wanted a fresh start in Nelson.

However, a police officer from Dorset, UK, said Peers had missed a court hearing in early March, and was now wanted for failing to appear in court.

Earlier this month, Peers contacted Stuff, seeking publicity for his latest venture. ‘‘My name is Anthony G. Peers of AGP Photography and I am currently seeking our next local new top model!’’, the email read.

Peers included a link to a photography portfolio; a generic website with stock photos, and few of his own. On one page, a price list, also illustrated with stock photos, offered would-be clients wedding packages priced between $1000 and $2490 and modelling shoots from $250.

The email listed his photography credentials: ‘‘A contributing photographer to some of the worlds most prestigious magazines including Vogue Italia.’’

The Vogue Italia website shows a portal where photographers can sign up and upload their photos. Peers’ portfolio has a single photo: a shot of two runners.

The photography venture was one of many over the years for Peers. In 2008, the Waikato Times reported that Peers had left New Zealand after running up more than $30,000 of debt in a failed Hamilton tour bus venture.

The Hamilton City Council had contributed $8000 to the project, not knowing that Peers had two bankruptcies behind him, the first in the 1990s.

His creditors included the bus owner and two drivers owed at the time more than $11,000.

In 2009 the newspaper tracked Peers down to a hotel in southern England. He promised to return to New Zealand to repay the debts.

When Peers visited Stuff’s Nelson office to discuss his photography idea, he said the bus venture folded because of lack of demand.

He recalled only one driver being out of pocket, and struggled to remember further details, he said.