Political funding in New Zealand

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== Political Funding in New Zealand ==

Political funding in New Zealand refers to the financial contributions and expenditures associated with political parties, candidates, and election campaigns within the country. The regulation of political funding is crucial to ensure transparency, fairness, and the integrity of the electoral system.

Sources of Political Funding

Political funding in New Zealand can come from various sources, including:

• Individual donations: Contributions made by private citizens to political parties or candidates.
• Corporate donations: Financial support from businesses and corporations.
• Membership fees: Fees paid by members of political parties.
• Public funding: State funding provided to political parties based on their performance in previous elections.
• Fundraising events: Activities organized to raise funds for political campaigns.

Regulation and Legislation

The regulation of political funding in New Zealand is governed by several key pieces of legislation:

• Electoral Act 1993: This act outlines the rules and regulations for the conduct of elections, including provisions related to political funding.
• Electoral Finance Act 2007: This act was introduced to provide greater transparency and accountability in political funding. It includes limits on election spending and requirements for disclosure of donations.
• Electoral Amendment Act 2010: This act made further amendments to the rules governing political funding and election spending.

Disclosure and Transparency

Political parties and candidates are required to disclose their sources of funding and expenditures. This is intended to promote transparency and allow the public to see who is financially supporting political entities. Key requirements include:

• Donation disclosure: Political parties must disclose donations over a certain threshold.
• Electoral returns: Candidates and parties must submit detailed financial returns after an election, outlining their income and expenditure.

Controversies and Issues

Political funding in New Zealand has been subject to various controversies and issues, including:

• Foreign donations: Concerns about the influence of foreign money on New Zealand politics.
• Anonymous donations: Issues related to the transparency of donations made anonymously.
• Campaign spending limits: Debates over the effectiveness and fairness of spending limits imposed on political campaigns.

Related Pages

• Electoral system of New Zealand
• Political parties in New Zealand
• Elections in New Zealand
• Electoral Commission (New Zealand)
• Transparency International New Zealand