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Cherie Sweeney

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Showing posts with label Nark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nark. Show all posts

Thursday, 9 January 2014

Roberta Karangaroa N.A.R.K Org.NZ Chairperson Scammer

An article from Stuff.co.nz regarding Ms Roberta Karangaroa's interesting  governance skills, regarding a Maori Land Trust she was meant to provide "governance training" for it's Trustees ...


Ms Roberta Karangaroa

Roberta Karangaroa, now known as Roberta Matiaha

 

Link is here: Roberta Karangaroa

Trustee wilfully overpaid her husband, judge finds
SIMON DAY

Last updated 05:00 05/08/2013

A Hawke's Bay woman accused of plundering thousands of dollars from a Maori Land Trust to pay for her wedding and to bankroll family and friends has resigned as a trustee.
 
The accusations against Sharon Edwards-Walker are revealed in a Maori Land Court judgment.
 
She was alleged to have made big overpayments from the trust, including more than $120,000 to her husband and his family. She also appointed a friend to provide "governance training" - the friend promptly withdrew $12,000 from the trust for her own use, the court said.
 
While Edwards-Walker and her family were allegedly receiving more than their entitlement in trust dividend payments, other members of the trust received no dividend at all.
 
Edwards-Walker was administrator of Te Raniera Huango Trust, which administers three blocks of Maori Freehold Land with 35 beneficial owners. She was responsible for paying out trust money.
 
Among the accusations of misappropriating money were $6500 to pay for her wedding in 2009. She also allegedly paid $699 on more than one occasion for medical insurance for her husband.
She also "wilfully overpaid" her husband and his siblings from trust dividends, according to the Maori Land Court judgment.
 
She claimed she had been bullied into the payments by her husband and others.
 
The judgment said Edwards-Walker approached a friend, Roberta Karangaroa, to provide governance training to the trustees. Karangaroa persuaded the trustees to add her as a signatory to the trust's accounts. 
 
The judgment said Karangaroa then withdrew $12,000 from the trust for her own use. After a complaint to police, $9500 was recovered.  
 
Judge Layne Harvey said that there could be "no justification" for  Edwards-Walker's conduct and in the absence of any alternative evidence, he concluded that "Edwards-Walker has abused her position as a trustee for personal gain, has placed herself in a conflict of interest position, and has made an unauthorised profit from her office".
 
On the basis of the trust's current level of dividend payments, it would take more than 20 years for the people who had been overpaid to restore those funds to the trust, according to the judgment.
 
Judge Harvey said that, in the absence of any "tenable defence", "there has been significant maladministration of the trust's finances, if not outright misappropriation", with the amount of money involved "as surprising as it is unacceptable".
 
The breaches of general trust law principles were sufficient to warrant Edwards-Walker's removal as a trustee. Judge Harvey said when he put this to Edwards-Walker, she chose to resign.          
The court directed the remaining trustees to obtain legal advice as to what recovery and enforcement actions may be appropriate should the allegations concerning the misappropriation of trust funds be proven. Ms Edwards-Walker was given two months to file a response to the allegations.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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On November 2011 Mark Mansfield made an application to the Maori Land Courts regarding non-transparency and missing monies with-in the Te Raniera Huango Trust. Link is from the justice.govt.nz website.

Note we have only included the relevant Paragraphs pertaining to Ms Roberta Karangaroa, as she is our subject of concern, regarding Nark.Org.Nz (apart from Ms Sweeney obviously). You can read the full complaint and also that of the judges ruling on the link below.

Full document here: Maori Land Courts, justice.govt.nz

Dated on the 28th March 2013





 







 
Continuation and Judgement: From justice.govt.nz

Hearing was on the 4 July 2013 in Hastings and Judge Ruling on the 5 July 2013 

[1] On 2 November 2011 Mark Mansfield filed proceedings per s238 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 seeking financial information from the trustees of Te Raniera Huango Trust. He claimed that they had failed to hold general meetings, provide annual accounts and be accountable to the beneficial owners.

More seriously Mr Mansfield alleged that the trustees had "embezzled" trust funds and accordingly had to be brought before the Court to account for this conduct. I note that Mr Mansfield had made these claims of lack of financial accountability against the trustees in 2009 and the proceedings had been before the Court since then.

[19] Then there is the matter of the $12,000 taken from the trust’s account by Roberta Karangaroa. In my earlier judgment I directed the trustees to recover the outstanding $2,500 from Karangaroa following her repayment of $9,500. It now emerges that Ms Karangaroa claims she has returned that amount to Mrs Edwards-Walker directly, which the latter denies. 

[20] It will be remembered that Ms Karangaroa had been approached to provide "governance training" to the trustees at the request of Mrs Edwards-Walker. At the hearing yesterday Mrs Edwards-Walker confirmed that she had known Ms Karangaroa for many years and had asked her to provide "governance training" to the trustees.

At the previous hearing the trustees accepted they had been persuaded by Ms Karangaroa to add her, a non-owner and a non-beneficiary of the land, to become a signatory for the trust using the pretext that having siblings as trustees signing cheques was not best practice.

 Ironically, as mentioned, Ms Karangaroa then proceeded to withdraw $12,000 from the trust for her own personal use with $9,500 recovered from her following a complaint to the Police

[21] Ms Edwards-Walker subsequently claimed that the trust’s then bankers had paid the money out to Ms Karangaroa on only one signature and that on her return from overseas Mrs Edwards-Walker had gone to the bank to sign a withdrawal slip to approve the payment after the fact.

The trustees had been directed to use their best endeavours to contact Ms Karangaroa to give her opportunity to respond to the allegations that had been made against her. To date no such response has been forthcoming. Indeed, Mrs Edwards-Walker claimed that whenever arrangements were made with Ms Karangaroa to hold a meeting she was invariably unavailable at the last minute.

[22] As I mentioned in my previous judgment the trustees are liable to repay this amount if it could not be recovered from Ms Karangaroa. As it was Mrs Edwards-Walker who signed the withdrawal or payment slip, and without the approval of the trustees, I find that she is responsible to repay this amount to the trust. That said, it may now be appropriate for the trustees to put the matter in the hands of a collection agency, in the absence of either repayment or a tenable defence from Ms Karangaroa.

Mr Mark Mansfield's compliant was legally justifiable.

[38] The present application was precipitated by allegations made against the trustees by Mark Mansfield. His original complaints concerned the lack of information available to beneficiaries, lack of meetings and lack of annual accounts. On the face of the evidence before the Court it would appear that many of Mr Mansfield’s concerns have been borne out and his complaints justified.

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As we can see throughout this whole matter, Ms Roberta Karangaroa and her "governance skills" along with dipping into another Trust's money, is of particular concern.  The similarities' a quite striking, as to Ms Roberta Karaangaoa's elusiveness in (being contactable/available) when $12,000 was taken from the trust’s account

From the post above:

"The trustees had been directed to use their best endeavours to contact Ms Karangaroa to give her opportunity to respond to the allegations that had been made against her. To date no such response has been forthcoming."

Both Ms Cherie Sweeney and Ms Roberta Karangaroa were very good at becoming unavailable through out our experiences with Nark.Org.Nz, on the Community Group Page.  When they eventually managed to grace page from time to time, they were always using excuses why they were away and that their time was limited. 
 
Also Cherie's continuous, "personal financial burdens" that were endless. Once questions of missing monies were brought to light, they totally avoided answers to our concerns.
 
Yes, Ms Roberta Karangaroa is well experienced in "spinning the truth".  The only thing is both Cherie and Roberta keep contradicting themselves.

Now if this was going in November 2011, we certainly have more knowledge now on the Ms Roberta' background and her love for Trusts, Money, and certainly trying to obtain it paper free, obligation free, question free, evidence free and most importantly..... tax free! This is certainly the case with Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney, included.   

 From the Charites.govt.nz Website.....

http://www.register.charities.govt.nz/CharitiesRegister/Search

The Charities that Ms Roberta Karangaroa established. These ones are registered, however she is involved with many that aren't, ie Nark, Personal land trusts among others. We learnt along this journey that just because a Trust, Charties, Org etc aren't funded; certainly doesn't mean they don't get huge donations which are conveniently unaccounted for.  The many events that Ms Karangaroa and Cherie Kara Kurarangi Sweeney organized, brought in huge amounts. 
Officer NameCharity NameRegistration
NumberStatusDate
Roberta KarangaroaNational Te Koru Puawai Charitable TrustCC31518Registered23/09/2008
Roberta KarangaroaRiverslea Tu Tangata Incorporated Charity TrustCC31450Registered22/09/2008
Roberta KarangaroaHawkes Bay Community Law Centre TrustCC37364Registered3/02/2009
 
Roberta Karangaroa was also a trustee for the Maatangireia Trust. Non existent currently.



.






























Roberta certainly has many years experience in "governance" for trusts etc.

 *Interesting how, the moment a complaint was made to the Police, Ms Roberta Karangaroa coughed up most of it. 


Ms Roberta and Cherie are experienced over many years in creating, hui's, meetings, media, events, getting funding (including Government funding) for their scam ideas
 
They have numerously used "heart-breaking" issues in NZ to persuade many to donate to their scams.   So, it's certainly of no surprise that Ms Roberta Karangaroa (currently of the Riverslea Trust, Hastings, among other trusts) would be quite persuasive in getting money from Trusts, she can certainly talk her way of a paper bag...... 

Another interesting  point is, when all this was going on....... Pete George of Your Nz, (Nark.Org.NZ, Board member) still supported them.  All their spinning, lies, abusiveness toward members and non-accountability of where monies were?









Pete George Party Your Dunedin Standing for Dunedin City Council - Central Ward Dunedin City Mayor (dreamer)


Pete George, certainly has a way with words.  He constantly bleats out "Transparency" but never follows through with that word...... Pete you really need to listen to yourself.  You've certainly never been "Transparent" by any means.

 Not a good political move Pete George.

So being that we are the NZ Public, we  decided to do our Civic duty, and pay Pete a visit on his, "Pete George for Dunedin Mayor" Facebook page he created September last year.......quite a catchy title, "Good luck with that Pete, go live that dream!"



 

And after 10 hours.... our message was removed,  and he's suddenly  laying low.  Pete is about as Transparent as a Kiwi made Gum Boot!  



 
 
Yep, this explains it then...
 
This is information for the New Zealand Public, by the New Zealand Public. We are here to keep NZ informed on this serious issue regarding the Scam Nark.Org,nz and also the two woman who have endeavoured with their "causes, pleas, hui's, events...etc". Purely profit driven and for so long and had gone unnoticed until now.

Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney of Nark.Org.Nz and Roberta Kararangi of the Riverslea Trust, are quite probably two of the best scammers in NZ.



Mrs Cherie Kara Kurarangi Sweeney of Nark.Org.NZ

Saturday, 26 January 2013

No, I don't think more people should be like Cherie Sweeney!

Why have we created this blog?.


To show NZ what is prevalent in some unregistered NZ Charities today. Although, Nark.Org.NZ is not anything and never has been under any representation whilst they still continue to advertise on line for donations. 

This is a story about a women, who began a career of scamming, manipulating and pleading with people for money. She has also, had a long history of running fundraising events and very experienced in the Media. She has worked often with Ms Roberta Karangaroa of the Riverslea Community Trust, Hastings.

 Although these two individuals have been skimming money from NZ people for many years, they have not actually broken any laws (as yet). 

 Why? 

Because there is no accountability legally for donations given in fundraising, events or other. These one off fundraisers really do make a lot of money, for the people who run them.




Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney as most of NZ knows her, is a wonderful women standing up, against abuse of children in NZ.  She had done many media interviews, photographs, promotional work etc.  Very pro-active in that sense.  

But, is she really there for the kids?  Lets begin with why we are here, NZ has been scammed in a big way from this women.  

Members in the NARK private group, where concerned on the night of the 8th Jan 2012.  Why? 










Missing money was revealed by the board and T shirts, also most of the board members had left that evening.  Team members were very distressed by this and asked questions.  There was no clarification, to what was going on by either, Roberta (Chairperson) of NARK or the founder Cherie.  Team members were starting to be removed due to simply asking questions of what was going on.  Roberta and Cherie did everything to avoid straight answers and began attacking members of being abusive and warned us of defamation if we alerted the media etc.  


Warning bells started ringing for most and then members where being swiftly removed from the group for no reason.  We received no answers, we waited, until we decided to start a Facebook page called: Cherie Nark NZ (Show NZ The Money!), we weren't going to be bullied for wanting answers.   We had been removed twice, we are now on our third page.  We have had our Facebook accounts attacked and also pictures of evidence removed from our page.  We still added them back.  

Ms Sweeney and company had been trying to cover up certain things, and NZ have the right to know why.  







Photo taken at Cherie and Micheal's house after the Toy Event.

There was no accountability from funds, during the Toy Event, donations were being used for Ms Sweeney's personal provisions. And toys that were picked up by Ms Sweeney and her husband, after the Toy Event were not delivered, to the Salvation Army in Hamilton.  We are still currently waiting on information regarding this and the "Mortgage Plea" from the Salvation Army.  She did take them home, in fact she even took pic's of them on her daughters bed.  Once questions of these missing toys were being asked, Ms Sweeney again swiftly removed any evidence on her page. 

I know you this is shocking, we certainly didn't expect to find the evidence of certain discrepancies with NARK.


But this has happened and the generous people, who donated from the kindness of their hearts to the cause, have been used by this fake Org and the founder Ms Cherie Sweeney.  Who is she? Please brace yourself...

Is NARK.Org.NZ a "Charitable Trust" or not? Two different disclaimers?

Cherie Nark NZ (Show NZ The Money!)

An article in the Waikato Times,

 'Nark' crusader gains fans


A Ngaruawahia woman is fast becoming one of New Zealand's most popular people on Facebook.

CHRIS GARDNER
Dated: 22 June 2011

BRUCE MERCER/Waikato Times

SUCCESS: Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney has more than 10,000 friends on Facebook after going public on NZ's appalling record of child abuse.

She may not have made many friends in Ngaruawahia, but more than 10,000 people like Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney on Facebook.

Ms Sweeney has been called a nark for going public on New Zealand's appalling record of child abuse following the death of a neighbouring infant, Serenity Scott-Dinnington, earlier this year.

But she has turned the ugly label around by turning the initials into an acronym: Nation of Advocates for the Rights of Kids (Nark).

The group's Facebook page "STOP Death by Abuse of our Children" is liked by 10,241 people, among them politicians including former Maori Party MP Hone Harawira.

"This page will centre on family violence, social issues, child safety, alcohol and drugs and developing support networks in our communities to STOP the Deaths by Abuse of "OUR" Children," Ms Sweeney wrote on the page in a May 13 post.

She was humbled by the amount of support she has had.

The trust which is starting with a $345 in the coffers from public donations will advocate for the nation's children.

Ms Sweeney is establishing a Rest In Peace tab on the site, which will feature pictures of victims alongside inquest reports.

"I tried to get coroners' reports, but they told me it would be $50 per application. With 150 names that's $7500 I don't have."

While it's early days the trust will hold a meeting in Ngaruawahia later this month to draw up its mandate supporters on Facebook are brimming with ideas, including a national march to raise awareness.

"People have designed logos, a few of the MPs have decided to get in on it." Ms Sweeney said.

"I can get people together (through Facebook) who are having issues.

"There's been heaps and heaps of messages on the page. It's a very big eye-opener for me.

"A lot of it is just being able to speak up. We are setting up this Nark Trust here, in Ngaruawahia, and we have to set up a bank account."

The Nark Trust will meet at the Ngaruawahia Community House on June 27.

NARK Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/STOP-Death-by-Abuse-of-our-Children/166417770086797


What happened to the Trust and money, in that article? People where donating as early as June, but NO Transparency? 
http://www.nark.org.nz/Community_Facebook_Page.html

N.A.R.K Facebook Community Page


DISCLAIMER

NARK will not take responsibility when you are in discussion of self harm and or harm to others OR if discussion takes place that admin feel is a danger to yourself and or others we have a moral and legal responsibility to info the NZ Police. 

The views of this page are not necessarily representative of the views of NARK Working Party / Interim Board.

 


Copyright © 2011 Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney NARK.ORG.NZ. Site Design by Jim Boswell

N.A.R.K Facebook STOP Death of OUR Children


DISCLAIMER

NARK will not take responsibility when you are in discussion of self harm and or harm to others OR if discussion takes place that admin feel is a danger to yourself and or others we have a moral and legal responsibility to info the NZ Police. 

The views of this page are not necessarily representative of the views of NARK as a
.charitable Trust
Copyright © 2011 Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney NARK.ORG.NZ. Site Design by Jim Boswell

Full Page Disclaimers:



N.A.R.K Facebook STOP Death of OUR Children

 Welcome to the NARK STOP Death of OUR Children
Facebook Page STOP Death by Abuse of OUR Children

The purpose of this group is to keep abreast of current affairs re Child abuse media release for the purpose of discussion. A place to share valuable information of resources and NARK updates for the benefit of community consultation being transparent.  This is a place to share concerns and find support amongst members who wish to share or discuss, and/or help find solutions to the problem.

STOP Facebook Page Rules & Code of Conduct
  
1,

The NARK STOP Death of OUR Children is a place to foster support and discuss   related media News Items which arise in relation to the STOP Death by Child Abuse growing awareness.

2, 

The NARK STOP Death of OUR Children is also a place to ask for help. You can   either do this on a thread topic, or should you wish to discuss a matter of Child safety with the NARK team, please feed free to Email one of us, for the NARK Interim Trust Board Email list.

3, 

To be respectful of everyone views.  Not everyone holds the same       views on each thread topic posted, this is to be respected. Please keep comments on topic pertaining to the thread.   If can not agree, please agree to disagree with our commentators.

4,

There is to be NO profanity, or derogatory comments toward any        other members.

5, 

Spamming will not be acceptable.  Please do not use this page to push your own agenda, organizations or indifferent views of any     organization.

6,       

The Administrators of this page have the right to remove posts that are offensive or extreme, spam will also be removed.
   There are Three     Administrators for this page of who will discuss and decide what is to be removed or deemed inappropriate for this group.  No discussion   will be entered after the removal of.

7,       

Conflicts of interest must be declared at all times when posting   comments in NARK STOP page.  Please be sure to state if your    opinion is of a professional one or a personal if required.

8,   

NARK will not take ownership of views and or professional / personal opinions that are defamatory to any organization.

9, 

Members seeking advice in the NARK 
STOP Death of OUR Childrenpage  are entitled to confidentiality and any communications must be kept between the members of this closed group. Anyone wanting to discuss  this problem outside of this group must first seek the approval of the person who posted the problem.

10,

Administrators have the Right to excuse member if they break the        rules, or cause disrespect to other members.  A warning will be issued in this instance.

11,

Administrators and NARK Interim Trust Members of HQ can be         identified by the NARK badge attached to their profile pictures.


12,

Please be aware it is now Law to pass on any knowledge you have of   Child Abuse, or could be liable for prosecution.

13,

We encourage you to share any useful resources relating to this topic, ie Web-pages, support groups etc.

14,

NARK was started on Principle before Personality, therefore any         personal attack or slanderous comments towards NARK Executive or  Board Members will result in your being immediately removed from this page.

DISCLAIMER

NARK will not take responsibility when you are in discussion of self harm and or harm to others OR if discussion takes place that admin feel is a danger to yourself and or others we have a moral and legal responsibility to info the NZ Police. 

The views of this page are not necessarily representative of the views of NARK as a charitable Trust.

 




Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Nation needs more people like Cherie Kurarangi-Sweeney


Nation needs more people like Cherie Kurarangi-Sweeney


Nation needs more people like Cherie Kurarangi-Sweeney
Maori Party MP Rahui Katene has described the woman from Ngaruawahia as a "voice of hope and change" for speaking out against child abuse despite being threatened, labelled a "nark" and having her property attacked.
"We need more people like Cherie Kurarangi-Sweeney who stand up to say that we must not be silent on violence against our children.
"We should be celebrating what Cherie is doing and we must give her all the support we can.
"To achieve the radical transformation we need in our families to take up the challenge to protect our chidren and it will be young leaders like Cherie who help to lead that change.
"I think it is wonderful what she has done in redefining the word 'nark' as being a person who advocates for the rights of our children.
"In essence, what Cherie is doing is advocating a tamariki neighbourhood and whanau watch system and that's something that our party fully supports.

"One of our party's policies is to advocate for a Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which might encourage and inspire communities to live more collectively. In my mind Cherie is the type of neighbourhood champion that helps to lift the spirits and renew our capacity to care for each other."
(Click here to watch Cherie and Rahui's korero about child abuse on the Back Benches television programme last night)

The Cherie NZ Knows....


Child abuse 'nark' starts Facebook page

TONY STEVENS
Last updated 11:07 30/05/2011
Cherie
TAKING A STAND: Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney, branded a nark for talking about Serenity's death, has started a Facebook page, including photos of several high profile victims, to raise awareness of child abuse in New Zealand.
Serenity Jay
BABY SERENITY: No one has yet been held responsible for the Ngauruawahia baby's death.
Nia Glassie
NIA GLASSIE: The Rotorua three-year-old died in hospital after being badly beaten.
Coral Ellen Burow
CORAL ELLEN BURROWS: The Wairarapa schoolgirl, also featured on Cherie's Facebook page, was found dead 10 days after she was reported missing.

Related Links

Facebook page: STOP Death by Abuse of our Children




The woman branded a "nark" for speaking to police about the death of Ngaruawahia baby Serenity Scott-Dinnington has started a Facebook page to help fight against child abuse in New Zealand.
Six-month-old Serenity died in Auckland's Starship Hospital last month after her life support was switched off.
Police are investigating after medical staff reported her injuries were similar to shaken baby syndrome.
Serenity's neighbour, Cherie Kurarangi Sweeney, has held a second hui to discuss child abuse after the death.
Her Facebookpage page, STOP death by abuse of our children, this morning has more than 1000 likes.
Sweeney said those at the latest meeting on Thursday decided it was time to act on the "anti-nark culture" in Ngaruawahia and remove the barriers in the way of reporting child abuse.
Sweeney was branded a "nark" by some members of the community for talking to reporters and police about Serenity's death. Her home was even tagged with the label.
"I am not the only one who has been victimised for standing up," she said.
"It was good to hear other people speaking up at the hui [about being victimised] because it means there are others who can support me."
Area Commander for Western Waikato, Inspector Paul Carpenter, represented police at the hui and said if there was an anti-nark culture, there was only a small group behind it.
"The hui sent a loud and clear message that there is plenty of support for Cherie and speaking out."
But Carpenter acknowledged there were people who might feel too intimidated to report abuse to police.
"There are always agencies and people where they can get information through - it doesn't have to be police," he said.
Stuff.nz

NARK is a Scam! (Too many inconsistencies and NO evidence.)

Nark 'falsely accused'

Contributor:
Voxy News Engine
Voxy News Engine

Nark wishes to clarify that concerns about financial management of the group, soon to file for charitable status are unfounded. Rumors of scamming stem from teething problems within the group that came to a head with a walk out by one faction of volunteers but no monies are unaccounted for. Reimbursement had been sought for t-shirts allegedly ordered but no-one could produce so much as an invoice or receipt for said items.
The Founder Mrs Sweeney says she couldn't find one shop carrying an order for Nark logo t-shirts after e-mailing all printers, so the request for "reimbursement" for alleged personal outgoings for t-shirts of which there was no proof of existence from the former Treasurer requesting recompense was denied by the Interim Board. As was a volunteers request for some form of wage well before that was viable or NARK a registered entity. The former Treasurer's complaints to the Herald this past weekend are invalid - the Board exercised diligence in requiring accountability.
Nark acknowledges public concern over our Founders appeal on Facebook (reproduced in Trade Me by another well meaning person) to help her to prevent a mortgagee sale of her house, by gifting to her $2 - only if they could afford it. Her ability to meet payments was affected by the onset of epilepsy in August 2010, which wasn't stabilised until October.
Although the mortgage appeal was a personal matter whereby Cherie had requested help from "only my friends and family and no-one else" Mrs Sweeney regrets any negative fall out this may have had on the organization (which had no prior knowledge of her appeal). "I acted on a suggestion from the budget advisory service to ask for help, and was desperate to safe guard the future of my Whanau".
NARK's Interim Board is dismayed that this matter has been jumped upon by an internet based gang to spearhead a campaign to smear this young role models good name, and to discredit the reputation of her fledgling organization - the Nation of Advocates for Rights of Kids (NARK). Inaccurate reports about NARK's finances are rife on the internet lately. The harassment has culminated in a particularly vicious and possibly defamatory blog write up by Ms Raue (Transparency NZ).
The blog titled "nark-what-kind-of-organisation-is-this" is rich on casting rumor based aspersions. Ms Raue plays Judge, Jury and Executioner in publishing this rubbish; "if you question Ms Cherie Sweeney she responds not with answers, but with malicious lies. How interesting. This is starting to look like fraud, or the best case scenario - major incompetence? Cherie is a fraud? Cherie is trying to get her snout in the trough..." It disregards all the facts Mrs Sweeney and the Nark board have tirelessly supplied on demand.
As published by Stuff last week Mrs Sweeney has never had any of the Public's contributions to Nark in her personal account, nor did she ever make unauthorized use of it for issues unrelated to critical tasks for the running of the group. Nark funds were used judiciously by her with Board approval to attend one Hui with Dr Russell Wills for the consultation and Submission on the green paper and related community matters.
The interim board has seen no evidence of dishonest practices by Mrs Sweeney, and is concerned the witch hunt in motion could unfairly erode support, just as Nark adds finishing touches to a Constitution that will take the campaign to the next level and shortly enable Charities Commission registration. "The balance sheet balances, our income has not been large so any discrepancies would leap out but nothing does - there was no great t-shirt robbery" says Mrs Sweeney.
Regarding the non provision of 9 total t-shirt orders actually paid for by supporters out of a list of 29 interested parties, but not supplied with them (due to minimum order numbers for print runs being unmet), Mrs Sweeney personally saw to it that all buyers were offered and given refunds out of the $529 that others had collected once it was retrieved from volunteers personal accounts and put in Narks new CTU one. Accounts show this was sorted within about a month with four of the disappointed buyers up-taking the offer and the remainder leaving funds in as donations.
Katrina Crews, one former volunteer directly involved with the project, has publicly stated that "AT NO TIME did Cherie have access to those (t-shirt) funds donated to the nark interim account. She did not misuse those funds." (posted to Cherie Nark NZ Show Us the Money Facebook Page). There was no great t-shirt robbery, the Board can assure the Public.
To address many murmurings about Nark funds going into multiple accounts, the monies for these t-shirts were moved about a bit prior to refund, and placed in a couple of volunteers personal accounts who went ahead and set up temporary accounts without even being requested to do so, as different people took over the t-shirt project from one another, only because NARK had not evolved an organizational or Governance structure as quickly as the community had rallied to support it.
It was not Mrs Sweeney who came up with several initial fundraising ideas nor who set up the Give a Little page,"I just accepted the help offered from all directions, and it has been a big learning curve". NARK had no official NZCU bank account at that time and things happened on an ad hoc informal basis, so naturally there were no monthly account statements or balance sheets collated as a matter of course early on.
Narks board was able to acquire from those volunteers banking early Nark funds their personal statements detailing amounts collected from Westpac Glen Eden account of first funds banker, the National Bank Stratford account of appointed Treasurer who took over banking role as well as the financial summaries from the net fundraising site Give a Little.
To avoid repeats of responsibility being everywhere and nowhere (such as with the t-shirt debacle) an account specifically for NARK and under control of an elected Treasurer was thereafter opened.
Bank Statements show deposits from funds raised at the Toy Memorial Day totaling $873, all accounted for. So what other funds has NARK collected that may have been fraudulently siphoned off by a baby exploiting founder? The minutes taken at a meeting 19.09,2011 with Cherie Sweeney and four other Officers/volunteers present mention that monies (which remain untouched) had been accumulating at the give-a-little site web site (Weekly report on NARK week ending 17,09,2011). A BBQ fundraiser idea was floated with two Nark members keen to run them (not Sweeney).
The funds raised at one of these BBQs were stolen from the bag of an organizers friend so they were never received by Nark or Mrs Sweeney. Police said they were powerless, given that there was no such legal entity as NARK due to lack of registration with the charities commission, it was a civil matter. Nark could not responsibly fritter funds pursuing it.
This incident (atop other difficulties getting volunteers to properly apply collected funds e.g. to buy/supply t-shirts as promised) has strengthened the interim boards resolve to register as a charity as soon as is practicable. In the meantime the Public can be assured that Nark operates as per usual protocols for any Trust, with elected Officers, and proper book keeping. Nark now has an interim board committed to best governance practices that will continue to champion the rights of children.
Nark's founder wishes to acknowledge the board and others who have given her support in helping to bring these matters to a close.