Church members had been told by Saulala to raise more than $1 million to invest in a scheme organised by Nelson man, David John Hobbs.

In late October The New South Wales Supreme Court found Hobbs masterminded a Ponzi scheme network that fleeced Australian investors of more than NZ$60 million

The court of found there was 'ample evidence' of improper payments out of fund monies including Ponzi payments, the payment of Mr Hobbs' private expenses and payments to Mr Hobbs' family and also to some scheme administrators.

It is still unclear exactly how much of the church's money ended up in the scheme.

The church is now trying to get money from the liquidator.

Saulala has refused requests to have the church accounts independently audited.

Pohiva Tu'I'Onetoa, who is also a lay preacher, told ONE News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver that Saulala "controls everything".

"What worries me most is the way the president runs the church, he is not accountable to anybody," he said.

"I believe the president should step aside."

Source

• TVNZ
• TNews
• WP
• Image: TNews