The National Party raised an enormous $10.4 million in election donations in 2023, more than double the amount of their opposition Labour, new figures have revealed.
The Electoral Commission published the full party donations for 2023 on Friday.
It showed National raised $10.4 million, followed by Labour with $4.8 million, then ACT with $4.3 million. The Green Party raised $3.3 million and NZ First raised $1.9 million. Te Pāti Māori raised $160,750.
Political parties have to disclose any donors who donated over $5000 during the year.
National's largest donation came from Auckland businessman Warren Lewis who donated $500,000 to the Party.
Other people to donate to the party include property developers Chris and Michaela Meehan ($103,260), property developer Trevor Farmer ($100,00) and aviation businessman Hugh Ross Jones ($100,000)
Large donations to the party from companies included $150,000 from Auckland investment company Rank Group Ltd, $100,000.00 from Christopher & Banks LTD and $100,000 from Velocity Freight Limited.
National's $10.4 million stash follows $5.1 million in 2022.
Meanwhile, Labour's multi-million-dollar haul follows $419,365 in 2022.
Its largest donation was $110,442 from Dunedin woman Islay Little.
Labour also received many donations from its own MPs including $22,791 from Leader Chris Hipkins and $14,337 from deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni.
The figures come after reporting requirements for parties changed at the start of 2023. The changes meant parties had to report the names of donors and contributors who gave more than $5000 (down from $15,000), the number and total donations under $1500 that are not made anonymously and the total amount of monetary and non-monetary donations.
