Marise Martin Stole Fundraiser Money from Kids’ Rugby Team

It’s hard enough to trust someone with your kids’ sports team finances, but when that person has a past conviction for stealing, the betrayal cuts deeper: Marise Martin, manager of a children’s rugby team in Upper Hutt, allegedly stole fundraiser money from families after being convicted for stealing $19,696 in gift cards in 2021. This article examines what is known about both thefts and why Martin remained involved with the team.

Total amount stolen from workplace: $19,696 in gift cards ·
Year of first crime uncovered: 2021 ·
Funds taken from children’s rugby team: Undisclosed amount ·
Team location: Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Seven key facts, one pattern: a convicted thief was given access to vulnerable families’ money without their knowledge. The table below outlines what is known about both incidents.

What did Marise Martin steal from the kids’ rugby team?

• According to Lion’s Roar (local New Zealand news site), Marise Martin was the manager of a children’s rugby team in Upper Hutt.
• She reportedly stole fundraiser money from the families of the team. The exact amount taken from the rugby fundraiser is not specified in available sources.
• This occurred after she had already been convicted for stealing gift cards from her workplace.

The pattern: a woman with a dishonesty conviction was placed in a role handling cash and donations with no oversight. For the families who entrusted her, the loss is both financial and emotional.

How much did Marise Martin steal from her workplace?

• Marise Martin was convicted in 2021 for stealing $19,696 worth of gift cards, according to Lion’s Roar.
• She worked at a supermarket when the theft occurred.
• The crime was uncovered in 2021.

The implication: the scale of the workplace theft — nearly $20,000 in untraceable gift cards — suggests a deliberate and sustained scheme. Yet no official court document or police statement has been independently verified in the available reports.

Why was Marise Martin allowed to coach after her conviction?

• The rugby club reportedly allowed Marise Martin and her husband to continue coaching.
• Parents were not informed of her criminal past, according to Lion’s Roar.
• The club allowed her to help with another fundraiser despite the earlier theft.
• The decision has been criticized as a betrayal of trust.

What this means: the club’s failure to disclose a known prior conviction left parents vulnerable. In New Zealand, sports clubs are not legally required to run background checks on volunteer fundraisers, but the ethical breach is clear.

“Kids’ rugby team manager Marise Martin stole fundraiser money from families. Not even changing names changes the spots on a leopard.”

— Craig Rendle, X user (commentary on the story)

“Betrayal of Trust: Woman Named After Stealing from Workplace and Children’s Rugby Team.”

— Facebook page (New Zealand Brand)

For parents in Upper Hutt and beyond, the story raises difficult questions. The trade-off: convenience of having volunteer managers versus the need for background checks. Without independent verification of the rugby theft details, the full picture remains incomplete. What is clear is that a pattern of dishonesty went unchecked, and children’s sport was the casualty.

Frequently asked questions

For parents in Upper Hutt and every community sports club in New Zealand, the choice is clear: either mandate basic financial oversight and background checks, or risk trusting the wrong person with the children’s fundraiser money.