Synlait club chairperson stole $40k for booze, beauty treatments, escape rooms and more
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
An executive assistant at Synlait gained full financial control of the company’s social club during a secret two-year spending spree that cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Debra Anne Winders, 52, admitted three fraud-related charges at the Christchurch District Court on Monday, which each carry a maximum punishment of seven years’ jail.
It related to almost $40,000 stolen from a large social club at dairy processing company Synlait between late 2022 and early 2025, detailed in a police summary of facts.
Winders joined Synlait as an executive assistant in April 2019 and in just two years was appointed chairperson of its Synlait Dunsandel Social Club, which has more than 300 members.
She was issued a debit card for the club in January 2021, which she began to use for her personal expenditure from November 2022.
Liquor stores, beauty treatments, restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, a vet and other retail businesses were listed among 300 transactions totalling $37,192.63 by the end of January 2025.
She also used the debit card for automatic payments to Sky TV, Escape Artist, Christchurch Adventure Park, Uber, Parkmate NZ, Spark NZ, Afterpay, Elgas Limited, Meridian Energy and Woolworths Online.
Winders did not disclose any of her personal spending, let alone provide receipts, to the club.
She also loosened security requirements around the club’s bank accounts in 2023, which previously required two people to sign off on a transaction, before wiring herself $2500 in early 2025.
“The defendant was completing all the responsibilities of secretary and treasurer from 2023. She had full control of the finances of the social club and was the only person who had access to the social club bank accounts,” the summary said.
Winders’ employment with Synlait and position with the club ended in March 2025. There were no Annual General Meetings or financial accounts prepared under her direction.
The newly appointed club treasurer discovered the fraud when they went to the bank to obtain authorisation to access the bank accounts.
Winders declined to make a statement, but allegations made by the Synlait Social Club were put to her and recorded on DVD.
She made “spontaneous comments” about transactions at supermarkets and fuel stations, and said the debit card had been used to purchase vouchers at various businesses.
She said the card was also given to other members to purchase vouchers, which were valued at $50 or more and approved by the club committee.
“No receipts were produced by other committee members of the defendant regarding these spendings,” the summary said.
The social club sought $39,692.63 in reparation.
Judge Mark Callaghan convicted Winders on two charges of accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes and one of using a document for a pecuniary advantage.
All the charges were representative, meaning the crimes occurred more than once. Judge Callaghan remanded Winders on bail to be sentenced on December 3.
Synlait’s director of safety, people and culture, Steph Manning, said it was a distressing case for the company.
“The fact the funds stolen were collected from Synlait's employees, makes this theft particularly upsetting. Thankfully the company reimbursed the Social Club so it has been able to continue its great work for our people.”