Journalists subpoenaed by Winston Peters' lawyers have refused to reveal any information that could identify who leaked his superannuation overpayments to the media, weeks before the 2017 election.
Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister, is taking legal action against a cast of powerful political figures over the leak, including National's deputy leader Paula Bennett and State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes.
Newshub's Jenna Lynch, Newstalk ZB's Barry Soper, and Newsroom's Melanie Reid all refused to reveal any information on Wednesday that could identify the person who leaked the overpayment information to them.
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All three were subpoenaed by Peters' lawyer, Brian Henry.
None were prepared to even reveal the sex of the person who called them, but Soper testified that the National Party stood to benefit from the leak of Peters' superannuation overpayments.
Courts cannot force reporters to reveal the identity of sources, as journalists' sources are protected by law.
Peters and his long-term partner of 17 years, Jan Trotman, testified on Monday and Tuesday that both were present when Peters applied for superannuation in 2010.
After applying, Peters was paid at the higher rate given to singles rather than the lower rate given to pensioners in relationships, despite living with his partner.
Peters says this was an administrative error by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), and his partner was with him when he applied for the pension, introducing her as his partner to the caseworker and other staff at the MSD office.
Witnesses for the MSD will later this week dispute their account - they say Trotman was not present.
An acting regional director for MSD Meredith Nugent is giving evidence on Wednesday.
Paula Bennett and former MSD Minister Anne Tolley are expected to give evidence on Thursday.
They were alerted to the overpayments under the ministerial 'no surprises' policy, which requires public servants to alert their ministers of matters of significance within their portfolio when they may be controversial or become subject of public debate.
Peters says his superannuation is a private matter and should not have been raised with ministers.
The trial is taking place at the Auckland High Court.
Newshub.
