Serepisos "flabbergasted" by arrest

Terry Serepisos outside the Wellington District Court this morning. Photo by APNZ
Terry Serepisos outside the Wellington District Court this morning. Photo by APNZ
Terry Serepisos says he is "flabbergasted" after he was arrested and appeared in court because of child support for his 19-year-old son.

Serepisos was arrested after arriving back in New Zealand from Greece last night.

"For whatever reason, they decided to set out a warrant for my arrest," Serepisos said outside Wellington District Court this morning.

No papers have been served and no charges laid but the Inland Revenue Department raised the alarm and police arrested Serepisos before releasing him on bail.

"The silly thing about it is, my son lives with me, and his mum, and I don't believe there is child support owing..." Serepisos said.

"It's just a storm in a teacup really," he said.

"I was a bit flabbergasted when I turned up at the airport and suddenly I got taken away and arrested for child support."

He had been in Greece for a few months to visit family.

Serepisos said the IRD believed "a few thousand dollars" were owing.

Yet Serepisos said authorities had his contact details and could have easily got in touch with him, instead of arresting him.

He said his son had lived with him for five or six years.

Serepisos said his son was shocked at the arrest too. "He's quite taken aback and upset about it."

Serepisos will reappear on October 24. He said he was focusing on rebuilding his life.

"I'm just trying to get on with my life and rise from the ashes, as they say."

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