New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) says Garry James Patterson has pleaded guilty to two charges related to providing insurance policies.

Mr Patterson admitted “holding out as being in the business of providing financial services” when he was not registered or a member of an approved dispute resolution scheme.

He also obstructed the FMA’s investigation by failing to comply with a notice to attend an interview.

The FMA says sentencing is scheduled for April 17 and it will provide further comment then.

The charges were brought at the Christchurch District Court.