Richard Gregory Beven (41) was arrested last week and charged with stealing $679,629.97 from Wanacare Ltd between August 5, 2011 and November 24 last year, and $57,194.38 from Lakes After Hours Ltd between April 14, 2014 and November 24 last year.
The case went before a registrar in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, where his lawyer Rachel Napier did not enter a plea.
Beven, who was not present in court, was remanded on bail until February 9.
Until his alleged offending was uncovered, he was employed as general manager for Wanacare, which trades as the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre.
Wanacare's shareholders are the GP partners of the township's two medical centres - Wanaka Medical Centre and Aspiring Medical Centre - and Wanaka Physiotherapy.
A statement issued by the company's directors said the issue had caused "considerable stress and distress'' but had not and would not affect the viability of the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre or its tenants.
"We want to reassure tenants and the public that we will continue to provide all our services as usual.''
The statement said no public money had been involved in the alleged offending relating to Wanacare.
Beven is the sole shareholder and director of Lakes After Hours, which was established in early 2014 to contract about 15 doctors to provide after-hours services in the township.
The two medical centres' funding for after-hours services, which they receive from the Southern DHB's primary health organisation, Wellsouth, is channelled through the company.
Wellsouth chief executive Ian Macara said he was "absolutely delighted'' the matter was before the courts.
"We have been working closely with the Wanaka GPs and the police in providing information.''
The Wanaka Lakes Health Centre opened in a purpose-built building in Cardrona Valley Rd in June 2011.
Its tenants include Otago Radiology, a pharmacist, dentist and optometrist.
