Working with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender communities of Auckland - Aotearoa - New Zealand
Patron: The Hon. Judith Tizard MP.

Auckland Pride Centre Fraud Case.

The Board of Trustees of the Auckland Pride Centre are justifiably pleased with the verdict arrived at by the jury in the case brought by the police against Martin Van Der Riet, former co-ordinator of the Centre. The Trustees are vindicated by the jury's decision to find Martin Van Der Riet guilty of 17 of the 18 charges laid against him. The Trustees commend the work of the Police in bringing this case to fruition and appreciate the unwavering support during the long and stressful process.

We would like to acknowledge our many friends and supporters in the community including witnesses such as Cath Cocker. In particular without the generous donation of the time and skills of our accountant, Rob Giles, and our legal advisor, Chris Lawrence, this conviction would have been much harder to achieve, if not impossible.

As a group, the Trustees have worked together, and supported each other, through this crisis, without dissent. The last three and a half years has not been at all easy for any of us and the journey has taken its toll on all of us individually. Edward Bennett is in particular to be commended for weathering personal abuse over this issue as well as threats of physical violence.

Since its inception in 1988, the Auckland Pride Centre has achieved a great deal of good and looks forward to future service to and involvement in the Auckland LGBT Community.

The Board of Trustees

Joel Stutter

Suzanne Paul

John Lendrem

Edward Bennett

John Fromont

The Auckland PRIDE Centre is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Home | History | Organisation | Links | Recent Events | Centre Users | Our Art | NZ Phone Numbers