Te Arawa River Iwi Trust chair Roger Pikia is facing fraud charges brought forward by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Auckland District Court. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
In a statement, the SFO said the charges were also in relation to his role as chair of the trust's investment company THL Limited.
Pikia, 52, did not enter a plea when he appeared at Auckland District Court today.
He is charged with obtaining by deception, corrupt acceptance of gift by an agent, receiving a secret reward for procuring a contract, perverting the course of justice, and conspiracy to commit an offence.
Pikia's co-defendant, who is charged with conspiracy to commit an offence, was not present during the hearing.
He has been remanded on bail to reappear in the Auckland District Court on 26 February.