An Auckland woman has regained control of her bank accounts after Inland Revenue made a direct deposit of $12 million to her in error.
Taihia's accounts were frozen after she thought the $12 million repayment was $12,000. She was expecting a tax rebate from IRD.
She spent $1,000 of it on her own bills, and gave another $1,000 to her mother who has given up her job to care for Taihia's sick father.
ANZ initially demanded she repay the money she had used - which Taihia was not in a position to do.
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Now, a week and four days after her accounts were frozen Savana Taihia is now able to access her money.
The bank has also told the 23-year-old she will not have to pay back the money.
Until Friday, she had been getting rides from her family as she was unable to top up her bus card.
IRD still has not contacted Taihia to apologise, although it confirmed to Newshub the repayment was in human error.
Newshub.
