There are mixed messages from the Prime Minister over a fundraising dinner he had with controversial political donor Donghua Liu.

When the engagement was first publicised, Mr Key's office stated it wasn't a cabinet club dinner.

But at a press conference yesterday Mr Key indicated it was.

When pressed for clarification he said he didn't know, and after further questions said that it probably wasn't.

"They don't have a big ban on them, you just to to a dinner.

"You're being a bit pedantic and a bit silly about it. I don't know those things. I go to lots and lots of dinners, I go to lots of fundraisers and they're well and truly declared."