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Opposition MPs question Kauri exports

Author
Felix Marwick,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Jul 2015, 7:43AM
Judith Collins (Getty Images)
Judith Collins (Getty Images)

Opposition MPs question Kauri exports

Author
Felix Marwick,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Jul 2015, 7:43AM

The family connections of National MP Judith Collins are again being targeted by opposition MPs.

This time its over the export of swamp Kauri in Northland. Opposition parties have been alleging laws that prohibit the export of raw logs are being broken.

Labour MP Kelvin Davis has referenced Collins' husband David Wong Tung's involvement in the trade. He is a director of Oravida Kauri, which deals in swamp Kauri exports.

"David Wong Tung and good friend Stone Shi are directors in a chain of shell companies that own the Ruakaka Mill, the ultimate ownership of which is obscured by a lawyer's nominee company."

Cabinet Minister Nick Smith condemned the comments, saying he though Davis was above getting involved in that sort of murk.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has used the protection of Parliamentary privilege to make serious accusations as to why the rules allegedly aren't being enforced.

"This Ministry's laxness in enforcement of the law is because people high up in Orivida are major donors and players in the National Party."

Nick Smith rejected the allegations and challenged both parties "to test it in the courts."

"The advice from the Ministry of Primary Industries is that the law is being complied with."

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