I'm cautious about rushing to judgement on this supposed scandal around New Zealand First.

This is not the first time people have tried to paint Winston Peters or the party itself in a bad light.

And perhaps he's invited it, to an extent.

When you've either by accident or design or a mixture of both established a reputation as a campaigner against corruption and dodgy deals, it goes with the territory.

Mr Peters has traded on that perception, think of his fallings out with National, the whole wine box affair and so on and so on.

When you've set yourself up as being, what's the phrase I want here, holier than thou slightly over-eggs it, the only honest politician that's close enough, people will take any opportunity they can to knock you down.

That tacky affair over the superannuation money was just one example and what a half-arsed attempt at a hit job that was.

Look, whatever you think of Winston the politician, you have to agree there's nothing stupid about the man.

Crafty, cunning, calculating even.

Infuriating sometimes, just give us a simple yes or no answer please, but dumb - no.

And it would be dumb for a politician, any politician, let alone one with his experience and his track record to get within coohee of anything bent.

So while some say the New Zealand First Foundation is shady and designed to get around the electoral laws, I'm waiting.

People have thrown mud at Mr Peters for years, seldom does it stick.