Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Covid MIQ manager jailed for $1.8m DHB fraud

Alister Thorby MIQ news

Former Covid MIQ service lead Alister Thorby has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after admitting he stole $1.8 million from the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs during a five-month fraud spree in 2022.

Thorby, then 25, created fake companies and issued 17 bogus invoices for security, cleaning, and logistical services that were never provided, exploiting the urgency and confusion of the pandemic response. He used the stolen funds to buy a Foxton property, multiple vehicles, and to pay for overseas travel—including a Brisbane holiday he attempted to board the day after his contract ended, before being stopped by police.

Judge Bruce Northwood said Thorby had abused government trust during a period of national vulnerability, describing the scheme as sophisticated and opportunistic. Despite references asking for leniency, Thorby was ordered to repay the full $1.8 million.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. The real COVID criminals, are still free and running around. Wont hold my breath that they will be held to account, anytime soon…….

  2. “Judge Bruce Northwood said Thorby had abused government trust during a period of national vulnerability”

    The guy is an opportunist taking a chance. A chance the stupid Government provided.

    The govt abused the trust of the whole country

    • That’s it. This scumbag simply recognized what was going on and wanted to get his snout in the slush fund. Still never seen that Pfizer contract.

  3. There needs to be a Task Force set up and a full and independent far reaching investigation put in place to audit all government spending and fraud
    Going back forever
    How many other turds have floated in under the net?
    Where there is smoke there is fire

  4. He will be one of many but as usual the bottom feeder get caught and punished while those who re actually in charge get away
    with it and lie and cover up They are the ones we need to catch and expose the who; Covid scam for what it was

  5. He will be one of many but as usual the bottom feeder get caught and punished while those who re actually in charge get away
    with it and lie and cover up They are the ones we need to catch and expose the who; Covid scam for what it was

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