Key Takeaways
- Labour’s declared donations for the year reached $401,511, boosted by a $??? bequest from the estate of Otago mountain climber Murray Jones.
- ACT leads all parties with $1.35 million in donations, driven by six $100,000‑plus gifts from individuals and companies such as Zuru co‑founder Nick Mowbray and GMP Environmental.
- National follows in second place with $727,000, its top donors including Stewart Capital Partners, GMP Environmental, and Michael Sullivan (each $100,000).
- New Zealand First has amassed $500,000, notably receiving large contributions from racing‑industry figures Sir Peta Vela ($150,000) and the Lindsay family ($100,000 each).
- On the left, Philip Mills (Les Mills) gave $100,000 to Labour and $50,000 each to the Greens and The Opportunity Party, while other notable left‑wing donors include Claudia Elliott ($60,000) and the late Mary O’Brien ($22,333).
- The Greens recorded $143,000 in major donations, highlighted by $50,000 from Nelson businessman Michael Lookman and $43,000 from MP Francisco Hernandez.
- Te Pāti Māori received a single disclosed donation of $40,000 from party president John Tamihere.
- Political reporter Ethan Griffiths (Newstalk ZB) compiled the data; he joined NZME in 2020 after roles in Open Justice and general reporting across the Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Whanganui.
Introduction and Context
The latest disclosure of political donations in New Zealand reveals a fragmented funding landscape, with Labour receiving a modest boost from the estate of Murray Jones, an Otago mountain climber who died last December. Jones’s bequest contributed to Labour’s annual total, which now stands at $401,511. While this figure represents a notable increase for the party, it remains substantially lower than the sums declared by its main rivals, setting the stage for a competitive financial environment ahead of the next election cycle.
Labour’s Donation Profile
Beyond the Jones estate, Labour’s largest individual donors this year are Auckland lawyer Claudia Elliott, who contributed $60,000 in April, and the late Mary O’Brien, who gave $22,333 in January before passing away at age 93 in March. Philip Mills, director of the Les Mills gym empire, also made a significant $100,000 contribution to Labour. These donations, together with smaller contributions from various supporters, form the backbone of Labour’s disclosed funding, though the party still trails far behind ACT and National in overall monetary support.
ACT’s Leading Position
ACT has surged to the forefront of political fundraising, declaring $1.35 million in donations for the year. The party’s financial strength is anchored by six donations of $100,000 each. Among these top contributors are Nick Mowbray, co‑founder of the toy company Zuru; Van Den Brink Karaka; and GMP Environmental, a subsidiary of Greymouth Petroleum. The concentration of large, high‑value gifts underscores ACT’s ability to attract substantial backing from business interests and affluent individuals, positioning it as the best‑funded party in the current disclosure period.
National’s Standing
National occupies second place with $727,000 in declared donations. Its largest donors mirror some of ACT’s backers: Stewart Capital Partners Ltd, GMP Environmental Ltd, and businessman Michael Sullivan each gave $100,000. Additionally, Christchurch property developer Williams Corporation contributed $58,000; the firm is co‑owned by Matthew Horncastle, who also paid $10,000 to share a table with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at a National fundraiser in April. These figures illustrate National’s reliance on a mix of corporate, property, and individual supporters to sustain its campaign finances.
New Zealand First’s Funding
New Zealand First has accumulated $500,000 in disclosed donations, with a notable emphasis on contributions from the racing industry. Thoroughbred breeder Sir Peta Vela donated the single largest sum of $150,000. The Lindsay family—Sir Brendan and Lady Jo—each contributed $100,000, reflecting their deep ties to both plastics manufacturing and horse racing. Further support came from GMP Environmental ($100,000), Windsor Park Stud ($25,000), and Shaw’s Wire Ropes ($25,000). This pattern highlights the party’s strategic alignment with sector‑specific donors who may share policy interests related to agriculture, racing, and rural development.
Greens and The Opportunity Party
The Green Party has recorded $143,000 in major donations this year. Notable contributors include Nelson businessman Michael Lookman, who gave $50,000, and Green MP Francisco Hernandez, who personally donated $43,000. The Opportunity Party (TOP) received a single substantial gift of $100,000 from tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell. While both parties trail the larger blocs in total funding, these targeted donations indicate focused support from sectors such as sustainable business, environmental advocacy, and technology innovation.
Te Pāti Māori’s Minimal Contribution
Te Pāti Māori disclosed only one donation for the year: a $40,000 gift from party president John Tamihere in February. The absence of additional reported contributions suggests either limited external fundraising activity or a reliance on internal party resources and modest personal contributions from its leadership.
Philip Mills and Other Left‑wing Contributions
Philip Mills, a prominent figure in the fitness industry through his leadership of Les Mills, emerges as a notable cross‑party donor. In addition to his $100,000 contribution to Labour, Mills gave $50,000 each to the Greens and TOP, demonstrating a willingness to spread support across left‑leaning entities. Other left‑wing donors include Auckland lawyer Claudia Elliott ($60,000) and the late Mary O’Brien ($22,333), whose donations arrived early in the year before her passing in March. These contributions, while valuable, remain insufficient to close the funding gap with the leading parties.
Reporter Profile: Ethan Griffiths
The donation figures were compiled and reported by Ethan Griffiths, a political journalist with Newstalk ZB based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. Griffiths joined NZME in 2020 as a print journalist, having previously served as an Open Justice reporter in the Bay of Plenty and Wellington and as a general reporter in Whanganui. His background in justice and general news reporting equips him with the analytical skills necessary to dissect complex financial disclosures and present them clearly to the public.
Implications and Outlook
The disclosed donation totals reveal a clear funding hierarchy: ACT leads, National follows, and Labour lags considerably despite a boost from the Jones estate. New Zealand First’s strong showing, fueled by racing‑industry money, suggests a resilient niche base, while the Greens and TOP rely on more concentrated, sector‑specific support. The disparity in financial resources may influence campaign capacity, advertising reach, and voter outreach in the upcoming electoral contests. As parties continue to navigate donor relationships and regulatory scrutiny, the evolving donation landscape will remain a critical factor shaping New Zealand’s political dynamics.