Green Acres fraud case still a year away

The case of the Green Acres master franchisee who is accused of selling fake franchises to around 200 immigrants is not likely to be heard for at least 12 months. Franchise New Zealand has been told that the SFO has some 90,000 documents to go through in preparing the case.

The alleged fraud was a significant factor in the Government's review of the possible need for regulation of the franchise sector last year.The Commerce Minister announced in June 2009 that there was no perceived need for franchise regulation at this time. The topic has also been debated at a University of Auckland Business School symposium.