Kohanga Reo National Trust spokesperson Derek Fox says the loans the trust's commercial arm, Te Pataka Ohanga, made to senior Kohanga members, are above board.
Education Minister Hekia Parata referred Te Pataka Ohanga to the Serious Fraud Office last week over allegations of misspending.
Derek Fox says the loans, totalling $180,000 are the sort of transactions any business would carry out. He says they all required interest to be paid.
The loans are on top of allegations credit cards were used by members of the trust's commercial arm for personal items including dresses, airfares and hotels.
Kohanga Reo National Trust HQ in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
