The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of New Zealand has secured a guilty plea in case concerning an alleged Ponzi scheme involving almost $4 million.

Thomas Alexander Kokouri Tuira (also known as Alex Tuira) entered guilty pleas to two representative charges of obtaining by deception, ahead of his trial commencing.

His wife Aroha Awhinanui Tuira has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is scheduled to commence on Monday in the Christchurch High Court.