Pacific

New Zealand Minister says Cook Islands links in alleged tax havens to be investigated

09:08 am on 8 April 2013

A group of international journalists, including the New Zealander Nicky Hager, says it has received more than two and a half million files on alleged tax dodgers, including a Cook Islands company with a New Zealand link.

He says a Cook Islands company called TrustNet founded by a New Zealand lawyer, Mike Mitchell, is one of the alleged tax culprits in the leaks.

Nicky Hager says the company, which was staffed by New Zealanders during the days of the Winebox Inquiry in 1994, is still operating but is no longer owned by Mr Mitchell.

The Revenue Minister, Peter Dunne says Inland Revenue will investigate links in alleged off-shore tax havens after receiving information from the group, the International Consortium of Journalists.