Internal Affairs puts the brakes on Matamata muscle car fundraiser

Saturday, 4 July 2026

Three Shelby GT350 muscle cars, valued at $574,985, were offered as part of the promotion being run by NZ Rescue, and was cancelled due to an Internal Affairs investigation.

A draw for more than half a million dollars worth of muscle cars intended to raise funds for Matamata's Pohlen Hospital was cancelled at the 11th hour after Internal Affairs launched an investigation into the charity running the promotion.

The Key to Communities Shelby Promotion was being run by NZ Rescue Charitable Trust, and offered people the chance to win one of three Shelby GT350 vehicles by buying a $100 Key to Communities keyring.

Promotional material said only 20,000 keyrings were available and the campaign was raising money for redevelopment and infrastructure improvements at Pohlen Hospital.

NZ Rescue’s promotion was set to raise funds for Matamata’s Pohlen Hospital and was cancelled due to an investigation by Internal Affairs.

The promotion closed on May 31, and a draw was advertised for 3pm on Friday, June 5, at Matamata Panelworks - the company that sourced and purchased the cars for the promotion.

However, the draw did not go ahead with NZ Rescue issuing a statement saying the promotion had been cancelled, and refunds were being offered.

“Following developments outside the control of NZ Rescue, we were unable to complete the sales promotion or conduct the prize draw associated with eligible product purchases made during the promotion period,” it said.

More than $500,000 worth of muscle cars were sourced by Matamata Panelworks and Shelby NZ as part of the promotion.

In a statement, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) confirmed an investigation into NZ Rescue’s “sales promotion” was ongoing after receiving complaints from the public.

“Sales promotions fall within DIA's regulatory oversight under the Gambling Act 2003 and do not require a licence.

“However, they must meet specific legal requirements to be conducted lawfully. Where those requirements are not met, an activity may constitute unlawful gambling.

Matamata Panelworks and Shelby NZ owner Malcolm Sankey said the cancellation of the promotion had damaged his reputation.

“Complaints have raised concerns about the structure and operation of the promotion, including whether it complies with the Act, as well as matters relating to transparency, delivery of goods, refund processes, and overall conduct of the promotion.”

The DIA said complaints span both its gambling, and charities services groups, and staff were corresponding “with relevant parties”.

“During those enquiries, NZ Rescue cancelled its most recent promotion,” the DIA said.

Matamata’s Pohlen Hospital is a private charitable trust hospital, and apart from being the recipient of funds from the promotion, had nothing to do with its organisation, a spokesperson said.

“The enquiries remain open, and no decisions have been made regarding enforcement action or any alleged breach of the Gambling Act.”

NZ Rescue said Matamata Panelworks, Shelby New Zealand, and Pohlen Hospital were not involved in the decision to halt the promotion, and everyone who bought keyrings would receive a full refund upon request. This was required by June 26, with refunds to be processed “as promptly as possible thereafter”.

The statement said any proceeds remaining, after refunds and promotion-related costs, would be directed towards Pohlen Hospital.

The Waikato Times understands refunds have started being processed, but multiple attempts to contact NZ Rescue have so far been unsuccessful.

Promotional material listed the retail values of the cars at $209,995 for first prize, $199,995 for second prize, and $164,995 for third prize - a total of $574,985.

Based on the advertised $100 keyring price and a maximum of 20,000 keyrings, the promotion had the potential to raise up to $2 million.

The actual number of keyrings sold, and the total amount raised, cannot be confirmed.

Matamata Panelworks and Shelby NZ owner Malcolm Sankey said he was waiting on further information regarding the DIA's investigation, and would be happy to speak in detail once that occurred.

In the meantime, Sankey said he was 'deeply sorry' for the inconvenience and confusion caused by the cancellation of the promotion, which was in no way connected to either him or his businesses.

Sankey said he believed the cancellation had been forced on organisers by the DIA.

He said the situation had been particularly hard on him, his staff and his business, and that his reputation had been tarnished through no fault of his own.

Pohlen Hospital is a private charitable trust hospital, and offers maternity care, GP beds, aged care, transitional care, palliative and end-of-life care, respite and carer support.

In a statement, Pohlen Foundation Trust administration and event manager Jodi Conning said the trust was “a nominated recipient of this promotion, but had no involvement in its organisation, administration, or the decision to cancel it”.

“As such, we're not in a position to comment on this matter,” she said.

NZ Rescue Charitable Trust was registered in July 2024. The Charities Register lists its officers as Jeffrey Francis Nother, Sandra Aileen Ratcliffe and Shaan Robert Hulena.

The trust’s registered purposes include supporting health and healthcare initiatives, education, training, sport participation, other charitable bodies and community wellbeing.