It has been revealed two people charged in the New Zealand First Foundation electoral funding case allegedly used a fraudulent trick to secure hundreds of thousands of dollars and that money was then used to pay party expenses.
The two accused each face a charge of 'Obtaining by Deception' following a Serious Fraud Office investigation and at the moment both have name suppression.
NZ First Leader Winston Peter says the Foundation is completely separate from the political party which he claims has been totally exonerated by the SFO.
In the Waitakere District Court today, RNZ, Stuff, TVNZ and NZME opposed the names being kept secret arguing its in the public interest for voters to be fully informed about what are serious charges during an election campaign.
RNZ In Depth investigative journalist Guyon Espiner has new details about the case.
