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Electoral Commission decisions database

A table and downloadable spreadsheet allow you to search and manipulate a database of summary information relating to Electoral Commission decisions on alleged electoral law breaches. Read more »

Electoral law links

This page lists and links to current laws and regulations relevant to parliamentary, local government, and school electoral matters. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-36, National Party video not included in election expenses return

A video about National Party Asian candidates was displayed on YouTube along with the statement: Authorised by M Oldershaw, 276a Fergusson Dr, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt. The video was not included in the National Party election expenses return. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-35, Contributions to a donation - Road Transport Trust

The Road Transport Trust made various donations to political parties in 2008, which were included in the parties’ donation returns. The funds were collected by the Trust to make donations to political parties and undertake other campaign activities. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-34, The Maori Party received overseas donation exceeding $1,000

The Maori Party was given the use of a house by an overseas person under an informal arrangement at no cost. The party commenced renting the house out in 2007 but did not include the value of the benefit of the house in its 2007 annual return of donations. In 2008 the party returned all the rent to the owner, in three lump sums, as the owner was an overseas person. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-33, The Republic of New Zealand Party 2008 donation return

A complete 2008 annual donation return for The Republic of New Zealand Party has not been received by the Electoral Commission. The return must be filed by 30 April 2009. This date was published on the Elections New Zealand website. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-32, Direct Democracy Party 2008 donation return

The Direct Democracy Party 2008 annual donation return has not yet been received by the Electoral Commission. The return must be filed by 30 April 2009. This date was published on the Elections New Zealand website. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-31, The New Zealand Pacific Party annual donation return

The New Zealand Pacific Party annual donation return – a nil return – was accompanied by a qualified audit report. The report stated the auditor identified major weaknesses in recording donor information in the party records, and indicated that records had not been maintained of various matters that are required to be included in donation returns. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-30, New Zealand First, Registered party overseas donation exceeding $1,000

New Zealand First received a donation from an overseas person exceeding $1,000 and relinquished the excess after the due date. However the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Contravention of section 32(2) of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to pay the excess to the donor or to the Electoral Commission within 20 working days, therefore offence committed under section 33(2). For the purpose of section 36, the offence is so inconsequential there is no public interest in reporting the facts to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-25, Jim Anderton's Progressive, Registered party 2008 donation return

The Progressive 2008 donation return was filed after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for the late filing. Contravention of section 51 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to donation return by 30 April 2009. No offence committed under section 56(1) as there was a reasonable excuse for the failure to comply. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-29, New Zealand Labour Party, Registered party 2007 donation return

A donation made to the Labour Party in the 2007 year was not included in the Labour Party’s annual return of donations for 2007. No offence committed as the Party Secretary did not fail to keep proper records, had no intention to file a false return and took all reasonable steps to ensure it was accurate. Although the 2007 return was materially false, no offence committed under section 214G(3) or 214G(4) of the Electoral Act 1993 as the Party Secretary did not fail to keep proper records, had no intention to mis-state or conceal the facts, and took all reasonable steps in the circumstances to ensure that the information in the return was accurate. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-28, New Zealand Labour Party, Returns of donations from same donor in excess of $20,000

A Labour Party return of donations received from same donor in excess of $20,000 was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing. However as the time limit for any prosecution has expired, the offence will not be reported to the Police. Contravention of section 54 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file return within 10 working days of receipt of the relevant donation. No reasonable excuse for the failure to comply therefore offence committed under section 56(1). The facts will not be reported to the Police as the time limit for commencing prosecution under section 140 has expired. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-27, United Future, Registered party 2008 donation return

The United Future 2008 donation return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing and failure to file a complete return however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Contravention of section 51 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file duly completed annual donation return by 30 April 2009. No reasonable excuse for the failure to comply therefore offence committed under section 56(1). For the purpose of section 36, the offence is so inconsequential there is no public interest in reporting the facts to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-26, Libertarianz, Registered party 2008 donation return

The Libertarianz 2008 donation return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing and failure to file a complete return however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Contravention of section 51 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file duly completed annual donation return by 30 April 2009. No reasonable excuse for the failure to comply therefore offence committed under section 56(1). For the purpose of section 36, the offence is so inconsequential there is no public interest in reporting the facts to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-24, The New Zealand Educational Institute, Listed third party 2008 donation return

The New Zealand Educational Institute 2008 third party donation return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Contravention of section 58 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file donation return within 70 working days of polling day. No reasonable excuse for the failure to comply therefore offence committed under section 61(1). For the purpose of section 36, the offence is so inconsequential there is no public interest in reporting the facts to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-23, Henry Michael Horton, Listed third party 2008 donation and election expense return

The Henry Michael Horton 2008 third party returns of donations and election expenses were filed after the due date. However no offence was committed as there was a reasonable excuse for the late filing. Contravention of section 58 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file donation return within 70 working days of polling day. No offence committed under section 61(1) as there was a reasonable excuse for the failure to comply. Contravention of section 127 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file election expense return within 70 working days of polling day. No offence committed under section 130(1) as there was a reasonable excuse for the failure to comply therefore. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-15, Family First New Zealand, listed third party 2008 donation return

The Family First New Zealand 2008 third party donation return was filed after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for the late filing. Contravention of section 58 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to file donation return within 70 working days of polling day. No offence committed under section 61(1) as there was a reasonable excuse for the failure to comply. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-22, The Family Party, amended (late) $20k+ donation return

The Family Party filed an amended return of donations received from same donor in excess of $20,000 after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for failing to file an accurate return by the due date and the financial agent took all reasonable steps to ensure the initial return was accurate. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-21, The Greens, amended (late) party expense return

The Green Party filed amended 2008 election expense returns after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for failing to file an accurate return by the due date and the financial agent took all reasonable steps to ensure the initial return was accurate. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-20, Labour Party, amended (late) party expense return

The Labour Party filed an amended 2008 election expense return after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for failing to file an accurate return by the due date and the financial agent took all reasonable steps to ensure the initial return was accurate. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-19, Foundation for Economic Growth, late third party returns

The Foundation for Economic Growth Inc 2008 returns of third party donations and election expenses were filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offences are so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-18, Conservative Party, late third party returns

The New Zealand Conservative Party 2008 third party returns of donations and election expenses were filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offences are so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-17, NZUSA, late third party returns

The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations’ 2008 third party returns of donations and election expenses were filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offences are so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-16, Terrence Dell, late third party returns

The Terrence Dell 2008 third party returns of donations and election expenses were filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offences are so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-14, National Distribution Union, late third party expense return

The National Distribution Union 2008 donation return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-13, NZ First, late party expense return

The New Zealand First 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for the late filing. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-12, RONZP, late party expense return

The Republic of New Zealand Party 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-11, Direct Democracy Party, incomplete expense return

The Direct Democracy Party 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date and remains incomplete. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing and failure to file a complete return however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-10, The Alliance, late party expense return

The Alliance 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. No offence committed because there was a reasonable excuse for the late filing. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-09, The Green Party, late election expense payment

The Green Party made payment of a 2008 election expense after the due date, however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-08, The ACT Party, late election expense payment

The ACT Party made payment of 2008 election expenses after the due date, however the offences are so inconsequential to the public interest that the matters will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-07, The Workers Party, late election expense return

The Workers Party 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-06, RAM - Residents Action Movement, late election expense return

The RAM 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-05, New Zealand Pacific Party, late election expense return

The Pacific Party 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-04, New World Order, late election expense return

The New World Order 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-03, The ACT Party, late election expense return

The ACT Party 2008 election expense return was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing however the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-02, Richard Green, election advertisement

Mr Green displayed a hedge pruned in a manner that the word “Green” is visible. Any potential contravention was not wilful and therefore no offence committed. Even if an offence had been committed, the matter is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter would not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2009-01, The Family Party, return of party donation exceeding $20k

The Family Party returns of donations received from same donor in excess of $20,000 were filed after the due dates. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing. The offences will be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-54, Alliance Party, Toroa Radio, election advertisements, election programmes

Episode of the Alliance Party Red and Green Show broadcast on Toroa Radio on 3 October 2008 is a prohibited election programme within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-53, Labour Party, election advertisements

Labour Party CD did not contain a satisfactory promoter statement but, if any offence has been committed, it is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-52, Labour Party, election advertisements

Labour Party sign in Mount Maunganui had a slash attached which obscured the promoter statement. No offence committed because the contravention was not wilful. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-51, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, Labour Party, Maori Party, election advertisements

Advertisement in the Hamilton Press contains election advertisements and its publication was not authorised in writing by the parties. Defects in the promoter statement will not be reported to the Police, however the failure to obtain written authorisation of the Parties will be reported. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-50, Labour Party, election advertisement

Labour Party billboard was not "published" within the meaning of section 4 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 when it was displayed to journalists filming a TV3 news item. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-49, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement

Act New Zealand booklet "Not your typical party" was not "published" within the meaning of section 4 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 when it was handed to a journalist at an ACT party conference. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-48, Labour Party, election advertisement

A red balloon bearing the Labour Party logo and website, displayed at a university club day, is not an election advertisement within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-37, ACT New Zealand, annual returns of donations 2005 and earlier

Free office space to the value of approximately $20,000 per year provided to ACT New Zealand up until 2005 was a party donation and was not included in ACT’s annual returns of donations for the relevant years. ACT New Zealand is required to file amended returns for the relevant years. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-47, Green Party, election advertisement

Green Party signs in Palmerston North did not contain a promoter statement but the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-46, National Party, election advertisement

Flyer distributed by Nicky Wagner MP did not contain a promoter statement and its publication does not appear to have been authorised in writing by the financial agent for the National Party. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-45, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement

Rodney Hide’s jacket bearing an embroidered logo and slogan did not contain a promoter statement and its publication does not appear to have been authorised in writing by the financial agent for ACT New Zealand. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-44, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement

Flyer distributed in Hunua electorate promoting Roger Douglas and ACT New Zealand is an election advertisement in favour of ACT, did not contain a promoter statement, and its publication was not authorised in writing by the financial agent for ACT. The failure to obtain written authorisation from the party financial agent will be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-43, National Party, Cobb & Co Paraparaumu, election advertisement

Advertisement in the Kapiti Observer sponsored by Cobb & Co Paraparaumu is an election advertisement in favour of the National Party, did not contain a satisfactory promoter statement, and its publication was not authorised in writing by the National Party. The failure to obtain written authorisation of the Party will be reported to the Police. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-42, National Party (anti), election advertisements

National Party polices released by Trevor Mallard MP and Jim Anderton MP are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 and therefore their publication is not governed by the requirements of the Act. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-41, various broadcasters, election programmes, election advertisements

Live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s election date announcement is not an election advertisement within the meaning of the Electoral Finance Act, and is not a prohibited election programme within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-38, NZ First, annual returns of donations 2005-7

(Full Decision Released) Donations made to NZ First in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 years were not included in the party’s annual returns of donations. No offence committed by the Party Secretary in respect of 2007 return. NZ First is required to file amended returns and accompanying auditor’s reports for 2005 and 2006 (since received without auditor's reports). Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-40, New Zealand Labour Party, elections advertisements

The Office of the Prime Minister published a Labour Party video on YouTube without a promoter statement. No determination made as to whether the video is an election advertisement but, if it is an election advertisement, any potential contravention was not wilful and therefore no offence committed. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-39, ACT New Zealand, election advertisements

Act New Zealand candidate Kenneth Wang’s billboard and pamphlet captioned “Vote Kenneth Wang, get Wang + Wong” do not contain election advertisements in favour of the National Party within the meaning of sections 5 and 65(1) of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-36, election advertisement, DB Breweries Ltd

Tui billboards “When Winston says no he means no - Yeah right” are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-35, Beehive website, election advertisements

Specified items on the Government (Beehive) website are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »

Electoral Commission decision 2008-34, Radio Network, election advertisements, election programmes

NewsTalk ZB talkback programme hosted by Winston Peters MP is not an election advertisement with the meaning of the Electoral Finance Act. NewsTalk ZB talkback programme hosted by Shane Jones MP is an election advertisement, did not contain a promoter statement, and the offence will be reported to the Police. Both programmes are prohibited election programmes within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act, and the offences will be reported to the Police. Read more »