Former Waipā District Council candidate sentenced for $107,000 benefit fraud

Monday 10 August 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Mon 10 Aug, 6:00pm

In this story Ministry of Social Development, Waipā District Council

Hope Spooner has been sentenced in Hamilton District Court for obtaining by deception and using a document for pecuniary advantage. The 34-year-old former local body election candidate defrauded the Ministry of Social Development of $107,000.

How they headlined it

4:57pm6pm

1. Waikato TimesMon 10 Aug, 4:57pm

   Anti-vax candidate who filmed Ardern and daughter sentenced for $107k benefit fraud (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldMon 10 Aug, 6:00pm

   Former Waipā District Council candidate Hope Spooner defrauded MSD of $107k in benefits (opens in new tab)