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Peters says NZ First is in the clear about donations

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 19 Nov 2019, 5:26PM
Winston Peters has hit back over allegations of improper use of donations. (Photo / NZ Herald)

Peters says NZ First is in the clear about donations

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 19 Nov 2019, 5:26PM

New Zealand First's leader says the public will know the truth about allegations around political donations.

Records obtained by Stuff show the New Zealand First Foundation has collected nearly half a million dollars in donations - which appear to have been kept secret.

The money was used for New Zealand First activities - like election campaigns, advertising and MPs' legal advice.

Winston Peters denies any wrongdoing by his party and wants to talk to the Electoral Commission, who earlier today said it would be contacting the party. 

He told Heather Du Plessis-Allan the secrecy of the ballot is important in a democracy, as is the right to not make your party membership public.

"As is the right to have a donation under the specified limits. All that has been complied with, and I don't intend to respond to someone trying to make a mountain out of a molehill."

Peters says baseless allegations about him and his party have been disproved before.

He says it didn't stop the cacophony of clowns and vultures spreading misinformation.

"We'll have to confront them again and we'll get it fixed up again for the umpteenth time. It just demonstrates that there are political forces in this country that are seriously worried about the growing strength and support base of New Zealand First."

The Commission says it is yet to receive the documents that were leaked to the press today, but is in the process of contacting the party and the Foundation to seek further information.

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