An Auckland funds manager was told to maintain confidentiality about a property project he was involved with, he has told the trial of iwi organisation head Sir Ngatata Love.
Ngatata Love has has his name suppression lifted. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Fund manager Kerry Knight was giving evidence at the trial of Sir Ngatata, former head of iwi organisation Tenths Trust, who is in Wellington High Court charged with fraud relating to the property development.
He outlined correspondence between himself and those involved in the Pipitea Street project, including the defendant.
He said he received a letter saying those he was dealing with wanted the lease premium on the property to be $4 million, which was more than initially agreed, and they also sought a ground rental for the land.
Mr Knight said he was told the lease premium would be paid to Pipitea Street developments limited, a company connected with Sir Ngatata's partner Lorraine Skiffington, which had only been formed the previous day.
He was told the deal was extremely commercially sensitive and confidentiality must be maintained, he said.
Sir Ngatata fell ill and went to hospital on Monday, but returned to the trial yesterday.
The trial before Justice Lang continues.