Political Donations
Legal expert calls for major changes to electoral laws
With New Zealand's donation regime under the spotlight, a legal expert is calling for historic change, warning the system is on shaky foundations.
A sweeping review of the electoral system is… Audio
Lin Lang: A billionaire horse exporter's change in fortunes
How did billionaire Chinese businessman Lin Lang end up exporting thoroughbred horses from New Zealand to China - and why has the lucrative business come to a halt? Audio
Secret donations, arbitrary rules, everyone ends up in court
Our rules and regulations over political donations are fuzzy - and most of our politicians are getting tripped up by them. Is it time to make those laws more transparent? Audio
Govt confident no taxpayer money in political party donations
Government ministers are confident no taxpayer money has been caught up in donations to the Māori Party, that have been referred to the police.
A donation of $50,000 from the National Urban Māori… Audio
Dark money, democracy and the media
Warnings of possible overseas interference in our election haven’t made many headlines but UK-based journalist Peter Geoghegan says our media should be wary of 'dark money' and think tanks… Video, Audio
Is the SFO picking the right cases, or just the sure-things?
The Serious Fraud Office is once again investigating a headline-producing case. But is it prosecuting the right crimes - or just the ones it knows it will win? Audio
Should the political donation system change?
Both National and NZ First are facing Serious Fraud Office investigations related to political donations - Tranparency International's Suzanne Snively joins The Panel to talk about whether things need… Audio
Getting around the rules - how to buy a politician
Can rich foreigners buy political influence in New Zealand? And are our rules over donations to political parties too easy to get around? Audio
Meltdowns, blow-ups and blowback as MP goes rogue
Explosive revelations by MP gone rogue Jami-Lee Ross hogged headlines and preoccupied political reporting all week. The volume of coverage and comment obscured reporting of some of the significant… Video, Audio
NZ unlikely to follow Oz move to ban foreign donations
The Prime Minister says the government is not planning to follow Australia's move to ban foreign political donations.
Green coffers bare after election campaign
The Green Party has turned to its members for more money as it struggles to pay its bills.
No plans for Niue donation internal inquiry
The National Party has no plans to investigate a $101,000 donation from a businessman whose company went on to win a government contract in Niue.
PM not worried about Niue resort deal
As Labour stands by its call for an inquiry, Prime Minister John Key says he has no concerns about a government contract involving a National Party donor. Audio
Contract not linked to donation - Scenic Hotel
A company awarded a government contract for a resort in Niue says its executive chairman, who made a big donation to National, knew nothing about the bid.