A Christchurch woman says her name was used to make ACC claims for physiotherapy treatments she never received.

The allegations involve Tauranga physiotherapist Andrew Caie, a former Opportunities Party candidate.

The woman said she became aware of the claims after being contacted by an ACC investigator, who asked whether she had received treatment from Caie.

She said she had never been treated by him and that their only previous connection was attending the same high school.

When she contacted Caie on Facebook to ask why her name had been used, he replied: “got desperate, made a dumb mistake, sorry about that, I regret my actions.”

“ACC is aware of the allegations and cannot comment further at this time,” an ACC spokesperson said.

Chris Lynch Media contacted Caie for comment. A lawyer acting for him replied by email. “His matter is under investigation. He is therefore unable to provide any comment at this time.”

The lawyer asked that any further correspondence about Caie be directed to her.

No criminal charges have been laid.

Caie stood for The Opportunities Party in the Tauranga electorate at the 2020 general election, receiving 935 candidate votes, or 2.17 percent. He was ranked 16th on the party list and did not enter Parliament.

In July 2024 he stood as an independent for the Tauranga mayoralty and the Te Papa ward. He received 1,273 first preference votes in the mayoral race and was unsuccessful in both, according to Tauranga City Council’s official results.

During that campaign, Caie described himself as a self employed physiotherapist and pledged to revitalise Tauranga’s city centre, improve public transport and complete long term infrastructure projects.