What are political donors getting for their money – and does it work?

Political players involved in the donations game. (Image: NZME)

Wed, 02 Aug 2023

The problem for political donations in New Zealand seems not that our parties are wallowing in a cesspool of dark money but rather the opposite -- that under MMP, a little can appear to go an awfully long way.The donations “incidents” we’ve seen so far (see Research Areas for Concern below) suggest we’re still some way from the United Kingdom – where former prime minister Boris Johnson hit up Tory donors in 2020 to pay to redecorate his apartment at 11 Downing St and this year pocketed another £1 million...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket up 0.2%, 2% for the year

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,377.85, up 32.88 points or 0.25%.

Graham Skellern 21 Oct 2025

Infrastructure

Property for Industry says valuation cycle turning

It cites strong occupancy, lease terms behind and sees strong 2026.

Staff reporters 21 Oct 2025

Property for Industry says valuation cycle turning

Markets

Meridian thinking big after Crown's offer to co-invest

Govt pledge the biggest change to investment settings since listing in 2013.

Ian Llewellyn 21 Oct 2025

Meridian thinking big after Crown's offer to co-invest

Sponsored

Focus on safety of SME vehicle fleets

Vehicle glass repairer’s work enhances road safety.

Smith & Smith

Sponsored

NZ stakes claim in data future

Hosting data onshore with Snowflake boost trusts, speed and sovereignty.

Snowflake

More Politics

News in Brief

Willis considered downgrading RBNZ governor status

Newly released Government documents show Finance Minister Nicola Willis sought urgent advice from Treasury on improving oversight of the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ), following Adrian Orr’s messy resignation as governor in March.Treasury, which had been appalled by the bank’s reques...

Staff reporters 21 Oct 2025