'Scapegoat' Jami-Lee Ross among 4 who face SFO charges related to National Party donations

Former National MP Jami-Lee Ross and businessmen, Yikun Zhang, Shijia Zheng and Hengjia Zheng, identified as people facing SFO charges over $200k of donations made to the National Party

19th Feb 20, 2:50pm by Jenée Tibshraeny

Former National Party MP and senior whip, Jami-Lee Ross, is among the group of people who face Serious Fraud Office (SFO) charges related to National Party donations.

The other defendants are Chinese businessmen, Yikun Zhang, Shijia Zheng (known as Colin Zheng) and Hengjia Zheng (known as Joe Zheng).

Name suppression on the defendants was lifted on Wednesday at the request of Zhang, Zheng and Zheng.

Ross said he never asked for suppression, but had his name suppressed along with the others.

He said in a statement: "While shocked that I had been targeted by the SFO, I had no intention of hiding away.

“I always wanted to make it very clear that as the whistle blower on this deception, it was outrageous that I was then charged and that others were seeking to implicate me, making me their expendable scapegoat.”

The businessmen's legal counsel said in a statement they were “urged to follow a process and are now deeply disappointed at being caught up in a donations fiasco”.

“Our clients believe they are casualties of the turmoil created through mudslinging during the high-profile fallout following Jami-Lee Ross’ revelations and allegations about the National Party and will be defending the charges against them."

The statement also said the men were proud New Zealanders who had donated to many campaigns and political parties over the years.

The charges relate to donations made to the National Party Botany Electorate in 2017 ($100,000) and 2018 ($100,050).

The SFO investigation came after Ross accused National leader, Simon Bridges, of asking him to collect a $100,000 donation from Zhang, and then split it up into smaller amounts to hide it.

Earlier this week, it was revealed the SFO's investigation involved a second donation. Bridges said he didn't know anything about this donation.

University of Canterbury professor, Anne-Marie Brady, said in a tweet Zhang had connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

Who is Zhang Yikun named @SFO investigation into 2 $100, 000 donations to @NZNationalParty?
He is 1 of CCP govt's 3 designated United Front Work reps for NZ--see link https://t.co/gSqWlV9IUc pic.twitter.com/5O1do34Z8y
— Professor Anne-Marie Brady (@Anne_MarieBrady) February 19, 2020

Zhang is also a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Here is a copy of a blurb about him from the Governor-General’s website:

Yikun Zhang is founder and Chairman of Chao Shan General Association and Honorary Chairman of Chao Zhou Association, through which he has organised a range of events and initiatives for the Chinese community. He established a youth branch of Chao Shan and a scholarship scheme for young achievers. He organised a number of New Zealand enterprises to attend the Canton 21 Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo in China. He organised an economic and trade cooperation conference between New Zealand and Hainan China. Mr Zhang played a key role in securing hosting rights for Auckland to hold the 20th Teochew International Convention.

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103 Comments

by 2 Tooth Bora | 19th Feb 20, 3:00pm 1582077609

Are they Chinese names?
At least you'll know what you'll be getting voting National.
Thanks Jami-Lee Ross.

by GV 27 | 19th Feb 20, 3:02pm 1582077744

I wouldn't be so quick on that Thank You, champ...

by 2 Tooth Bora | 19th Feb 20, 3:03pm 1582077804

Thanks

by CJ099 | 19th Feb 20, 3:04pm 1582077852

Humm.. Wouldn't it be a coincidence if they all turned out to be CCP members.

by rastus1 | 19th Feb 20, 3:11pm 1582078274

Professor Anne-Marie Brady believes Zhang Yikun is on of NZ's top 3 leaders for CCP United front work.

National should be ashamed. This and promoting foreign ownership again is disgraceful. The should be shunted for another three years at least.

by CJ099 | 19th Feb 20, 3:26pm 1582079168

Yes you would think that any NZ political party would steer well clear of any foreign government entity, and avoid taking illegal donations (bribes) from them. Especially from one that has such a bad reputation for Human Rights violations. Here's the latest on that: BBC China Uighurs: Detained for beards, veils and internet browsing. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51520622

by Lapun | 19th Feb 20, 8:10pm 1582096208

Had a beard for over fifty years and been browsing for over 30 years - seems I need a veil.

by workingman | 19th Feb 20, 4:15pm 1582082118

Yes, fingered as a United Front/CCP front-man, and yet Yikun Zhang was put forward for a Queen's Birthday honour by the National Party. Zhang, who owns $40 million in Auckland property, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2018. Bridges, of course, was unaware of what Ross was getting up to.

The National party, as currently peopled, funded and influenced, is unfit to play a role in our democracy. The trial may bring the whole outfit into disinfecting sunlight, and the party can start again, working for New Zealanders not foreigners.

by Yankiwi | 20th Feb 20, 1:47am 1582116450

2018 for NZ order of merit... I do not think that was on Nationals watch. BTW, I am not condoning the donations fiasco, just acknowledging that maybe both parties are complicit.

by workingman | 20th Feb 20, 7:28am 1582136881

It was an National party outgoing award. https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/16/279660/zhang-yikun-and-the-allege… Zhang was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit as part of this year’s [2018] Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to New Zealand-China relations. At the time, Ethnic Communities Minister Jenny Salesa said Zhang was an effective and tireless community organiser. Last year [2017], the Aucklander also won a Kiwibank local hero award at the New Zealander of the Year awards. (!)

by Yankiwi | 21st Feb 20, 5:43am 1582217014

The newsroom article noted that Zhang courted all political parties, including the past Labour leader Andrew Little.

It says nothing about the award coming from the prior year when National was the party in government.

The Chinese labour MP transaction translation of the "let's do this" shows similar pandering to a specific subgroup as National has done in the past.

Both parties are similar in that regard.

by loveyourwork | 19th Feb 20, 3:45pm 1582080301

All coming to light now! Brilliant. Can't vote national.

by Alter Ego | 19th Feb 20, 4:22pm 1582082548

Buy backs are essential when investing.

I think someone bought a few. ...into this Country.

I think the National Party did not think anyone would ever notice their affiliations to promote their well being.

Blind as a bat must never be encouraged, when voting. Open your eyes. Kiwis, do not be left in the Dark.

I repeat way too often, when you cannot trust those you voted in to power, then absolute Power corrupts absolutely. And it did absolutely.

Especially when you can keep an eye on the key individuals who benefited the most. It is all over ....the news.

When it pays to lay down with others who prostituted themselves, quite openly...be afraid, be very afraid.

And that you can Bank on...and they did.

by youngdumbandbroke | 19th Feb 20, 3:12pm 1582078329

Coincidence or espionage?

by xingmowang | 19th Feb 20, 3:04pm 1582077870

New Zealanders will beg to vote for Nationals if the current government is to rule the next three years.

We will see.

by CJ099 | 19th Feb 20, 3:07pm 1582078059

Really why? Please explain xingmowang?

by RickStrauss | 19th Feb 20, 4:02pm 1582081342

Because National is the CCP's preferred party, from the sounds of Xi-ngmowang.

by Beanie | 20th Feb 20, 9:15am 1582143305

Well I wouldn't underestimate the CCP. They will have their bases covered. They are funding National overtly, so Labour must be being funded covertly, the very top of the party will be told about it when the time comes.

by Pragmatist | 19th Feb 20, 3:22pm 1582078962

I see you really don't associate with many NZers do you? This really going to cause a few National party loyalists to question if they want to vote for National again. Will be interesting to see if their xenophobic (and sometimes outright racist) views win over their right of centre economic and social views or vice-versa.

by workingman | 19th Feb 20, 3:52pm 1582080744

Neither xenophobia nor racism has anything to do with it. The issue is the scandal to our political life, in the creeping undermining of political honesty, transparency and patriotism, as politicians and parties (one especially so) become ever more beholden to a foreign state and its agents - who together are intensely hostile to every human and democratic right, and who have come to see New Zealand as both a valuable prize and a soft touch. If you value democracy and our country there is no choice but to condemn any corruption of our politics and way of life.

by Pragmatist | 19th Feb 20, 3:58pm 1582081109

I don't disagree.

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 5:41pm 1582087300

It's treasonous, really.

by NZChinese | 19th Feb 20, 7:38pm 1582094300

Things like this one is likely to instigate racism and sinophobia,more or less, just like what the coronavirus outbreak did. Because not everyone can think things thru like you. It will be interesting to see how Labour and Nats respond. Last time, Labour's chinese sounding names saga created a massive sinophobia wave and hurted a lot of ethnic chinese voters incl. gen 2 or 3 kiwi chinese, so they didn't vote Labour. I recall a survey showed more ethnic chinese would have voted NZF than Labour.

by Lapun | 19th Feb 20, 8:16pm 1582096581

It certainly doesn't help but I reckon most Aucklanders know and are friends with enough ethnic Chinese Kiwis to avoid broad sinophobia. If you want to hear strong anti-CCP views I can introduce you to a couple of Chinese kiwis. I guess there may be issues in the less cosmopolitan parts of rural NZ .

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 5:40pm 1582087223

I have known several right wing and highly successful businessmen over the years, bona fide Nationsl supporters, who are racist to their very bones. Even throw words like 'Chinamen' around, still.
But at the same time cuddle up to the Chinese, for business reasons.
Pretty disgusting.

by Houseworks | 19th Feb 20, 6:20pm 1582089640

The C word... so what do you think about people who use the N word

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 6:44pm 1582091060

Not sure what you mean

by Houseworks | 19th Feb 20, 9:09pm 1582099789

You talked about the Chinamen C word. What do you say of those that use the racial N word

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 10:28pm 1582104482

Unacceptable as well, of course

by Houseworks | 19th Feb 20, 10:41pm 1582105297

It is. However when black people use the term they are allowed to get away with it.. it's a stupid double standard. Commies and socialists have double standards whereby they buy rental properties and so then they dont act to reduce property prices as it would hurt their own back pocket. Did Helen Clark do anything to make homes more affordable.. NO infact she did the opposite. HC is donkey deep in rentals.

by CourtJester | 20th Feb 20, 1:36pm 1582158981

Wow. You managed to make this about Helen Clark and socialists and commies.
The only commies here are the CCP members.

by RickStrauss | 20th Feb 20, 7:01pm 1582178509

Rockin' out all the talkback buzzwords, he was.

by Davo36 | 19th Feb 20, 7:44pm 1582094670

Yes but not all business people are like this.

Just as not all vegans wear tie-died clothes and have long hair...

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 3:53pm 1582080818

XMW believe it was agreed that you were not qualified to comment on anything at all until you had convinced us here on this site, that you had red and now understood Catch-22.

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 3:12pm 1582078345

Tangled web this one, sticky as candy floss and a not very palatable diet at that for National to enjoy. What were once vices are now habits and the MP defendant one assumes, is poised and prepared, if he is a scapegoat, to take quite a few down with him. Not very good election year medicine.

by GV 27 | 19th Feb 20, 3:13pm 1582078420

That depends whether he is a scapegoat, or whether he might have had other motivations - namely entrapping the leader of his party in a donations web of his own making, perhaps? Hard to say. I'm sure it will come out in the fullness of time.

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 3:22pm 1582078956

Who let the cat out?

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 4:20pm 1582082436

Answered: the 3Zs were happy for suppression to be lifted. JLR's lawyers didn't object.

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/19/1041741/jami-lee-ross-one-of-4-ch…

by NZChinese | 19th Feb 20, 3:35pm 1582079735

Wow, another Chinese sounding names saga LOL. I remember Prof Brady once said those guys were linked to the PARTY.

by sharetrader | 19th Feb 20, 8:09pm 1582096169

a lot of Chinese people i know vote national,
when i have asked why, have they checked all the parties policies out they tell me because national are the Chinese friendly party
i took that as they look after Chinese here more than other parties BUT it does make you wonder when they come from a state where they are told what to do and follow orders

by NZChinese | 19th Feb 20, 8:18pm 1582096730

Might be the case for the new migrants, tho i know many ethnic chinese voters ditched Labour last time was solely because of the ramifications of Phil Twyford's chinese sounding names. There could be more chinese chose NZF last time

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 8:34pm 1582097651

Nats are also apparently the 'business party', so many Chinese people who are in business will be aligned to that

by RickStrauss | 20th Feb 20, 11:11am 1582150281

by printer8 | 19th Feb 20, 3:41pm 1582080103

In World War 1 terms; Jami-Lee SIW (self inflicted wound).
Whatever the rights and wrong or ins and outs, to be the one facing charges it seems that he has shot himself in the foot apparently and totally missed Simon.

by Gareth Vaughan | 19th Feb 20, 3:55pm 1582080947

I don't see how Simon Bridges or the National Party can distance themselves from this. Jami-Lee Ross was their chief whip when these events took place and the money was given to the National Party.

by workingman | 19th Feb 20, 4:07pm 1582081659

They will try to, but they can't distance themselves from this. The fantasy of a benign China, a valued strategic partner, willing to take all our commodities, and thus secure our economy, has infected New Zealand politics to such a degree that politicians have fallen over themselves to form relationships with the most dubious of characters. They have been so blind to the idiocy of this fantasy - pushed by the dairying and agri lobby - that the trading of money for influence hasn't even been seen as compromising, let alone corrupt. It is both.

by SmoKey | 19th Feb 20, 8:14pm 1582096460

Corruption is Lobbying is Donation. Whatever you call it, Politics in Democracies are full of it. Pun intended.

by andyb | 19th Feb 20, 4:03pm 1582081424

It would appear Jami-Lee Ross directed these men to somewhat covertly disclose their donations... then recorded himself disclosing to Simon that he had taken in some good donations and we should be ensuring they are looked after. It's totally self-inflicted and it would appear the defence of these guys is going to be "We did what Jami-Lee told us to".

That said, this coming out at the same time Paul Goldsmith is mooting lifting or tinkering with the foreign ownership ban is plain dumb from National. Do they really need chinese donations so bad it risks losing the election... cos that seems to be what is it coming to.

by RickStrauss | 19th Feb 20, 4:41pm 1582083670

That rests on two assumptions:

1. That Simon had no prior discussion of this matter (but IIRC the phone call referred to them discussing an existing matter they'd discussed before)
2. That he recorded the call to incriminate himself, not because he and Simon had discussed the matter before...

by dictator | 19th Feb 20, 4:04pm 1582081481

There's no way the party leader doesn't know what the party whip is up to.

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 4:11pm 1582081884

The whip is now going to be the flogger, one might suppose.

by Masher | 19th Feb 20, 4:31pm 1582083118

Theres no need for him to flog. His wife took him back.

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 5:43pm 1582087430

It's disgusting. The Nats should hang their heads in shame.
Labour may be incompetent, but at least they are not morally bankrupt...

by Noncents | 19th Feb 20, 7:38pm 1582094288

"but at least they are not morally bankrupt..."

Wouldn't be too sure about that. Remember the jump in Labour Donations when Jacinda was named as Leader. A lot of offshore money put a dollar each way.

by scarfie | 19th Feb 20, 7:49pm 1582094946

Keep the shining that light and bringing disinfectant to these treasonous along with Jenee there Gareth, you truly are an asset.

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 8:35pm 1582097751

I want to see some good investigative journalism on this. Pity there's so few outlets in this nation capable of that

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 8:43pm 1582098233

Lotto is top story at the herald

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 4:06pm 1582081599

reminds me of those WW2 sticky anti tank grenades. Many stuck to the thrower rather than the tank, more modern version of the old French petard of course. Both an appropriate analogy here one might think.

by Pragmatist | 19th Feb 20, 4:01pm 1582081267

Jami-Lee Ross might have been the one jumping up and down in the muck, but his (former) buddy Simon was standing right next to him. There is a strong odor in the air around Simon, and it ain't roses..

by custard | 19th Feb 20, 4:29pm 1582082957

It's coming Simon - we all know Jami-Lee Ross can be a pretty loose goose when he wants to be.

Those “donations” may end up being very expensive.

by SmoKey | 19th Feb 20, 3:44pm 1582080266

Winston will be relieved to see how this is playing out and for the precedence.

by redcows1 | 19th Feb 20, 3:54pm 1582080870

Kinda hoping to here Prof Brady's take on the intricacies of this transaction spashed all over the msm before the election. It just gets worse and worse looking for National and I doubt that the cornered rat will be holding back on much at all.

by rastus1 | 19th Feb 20, 4:07pm 1582081671

Jamie Lee...start a give a little page for your defence. I'll be in.

by Beanie | 20th Feb 20, 9:26am 1582143965

Well in every Hollywood movie I have seen he will be stopped from testifying in court.
In fact in the movies it would be someone like the CIA behind it, with the CCP taking the fall. Hows that for a conspiracy!

by Andrewj | 19th Feb 20, 4:31pm 1582083101

I suspect all major political parties are tarred with the same brush.

by unaha-closp | 19th Feb 20, 5:11pm 1582085501

But only National were stupid enough to make someone like Jami-Lee Ross a party whip and at this point all donations to the other parties remain anonymous.

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 5:45pm 1582087505

Both majors is probably more accurate based on Anne-Marie Brady's Magic Weapons;

Link to the full document here via DocumentCloud;

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4053774-Magic-Weapons-China-s-p…

by workingman | 19th Feb 20, 6:47pm 1582091240

Good to give this paper publicity, Kate. It is damning of the lack of principle running right through our main political parties and individual politicians, and thus the ease with which PRC functionaries have been able to subvert our democracy and other institutions. Nor is local government immune to these charges. Wave a dollar at them, and the run of New Zealand politicians, it appears, will do your bidding, no matter the consequence to our nation. The CCP hasn't had to work hard at this. Our political class has been ready to be bought.

by sharetrader | 19th Feb 20, 4:35pm 1582083352

it will be interesting to see if they fight it in the courts or take a slap on the wrist fine and walk away free to carry on influencing one of our biggest political parties.
as for JLR his goose is cooked he needs to think about life after politics

by custard | 19th Feb 20, 5:21pm 1582086116

Real estate's always on the lookout for new talent...

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 5:48pm 1582087685

Jamie and Soymon both look like super slick real estate bullshit merchants

by Chris-M | 19th Feb 20, 5:17pm 1582085852

As I understand it JLR was directed to hide the donations according to his recorded conversation with Bridges. He does what he was told to do, but later reveals the conversation to the public and police. That pretty much fits into the description of a whistle blowing situation.
The legal consequences are that JLR is prosecuted and Bridges and the National party get off Scott free.
This is absolutely unbelievable and is a total indictment of our legal system, the National party and our whole political system.
I hope that this trial drags out right up to and through the election. Average NZRs are hopeful not that stupid and have a well developed sense of natural justice. If so this will crucify National.

by scarfie | 19th Feb 20, 7:51pm 1582095064

Might be just the strategic game someone is playing at the SFO?

by Chris-M | 19th Feb 20, 10:23pm 1582104232

Had the same thought.

by Believer1980 | 19th Feb 20, 5:26pm 1582086370

Personally, even if Simon really had nothing to do with how these donations were handled (and that is a huge if), the fact that he used and worked with someone like Jami Lee Ross is enough to discredit him and the National party. How on earth Simon sees himself qualified to be a candidate to run NZ after this disaster is beyond me.

by Belle | 20th Feb 20, 5:13am 1582128815

Lie down with dogs get up with fleas. JLR is an obvious narcissist. One and there are many but one of the most worrying things about this saga is Bridges belief in JLR to have him as a close associate. He obviously treated women very badly just for a start. Yet the guy that wants to lead our country trusted him. The whole thing stinks and the National Party is totally gutless for not sacking Bridges over this.

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 5:31pm 1582086675

Anyone else interested in televised court proceedings via the Parliament TV Freeview Channel?

Is this the first time criminal charges of this nature are being brought in NZ? If so, I think we have a right to observe these legal proceedings in full, assuming they are open to the public.

Gauging public interest here via the 'uptick' function.

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 6:44pm 1582091079

Excellent notion Kate, excellent! More dirty linen on show than even the best Haier could cope with I would wager.

by Fritz | 19th Feb 20, 6:45pm 1582091129

Bring the popcorn

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 6:59pm 1582091957

And all along to the theme song of “Pop Goes the Weasel.”

by SmoKey | 19th Feb 20, 8:18pm 1582096695

Certainly would be better than the Bachelorette.

by RickStrauss | 20th Feb 20, 7:03pm 1582178592

"Which bachelorette party is our bachelor Xi going to give a rose, audience?"

by Andrewj | 19th Feb 20, 6:14pm 1582089282

The major parties lost support, membership collapsed, I don't think National even has 20k
members, down from 200k plus before MMP.
You need that broad base, they need to be broad based political parties, it's hard to get people enthused when parties are run under MMP by the upper echelons and members have very little input.

by Foxglove. | 19th Feb 20, 7:57pm 1582095443

Aj, tks that is a staggering change, quite staggering development. Had not given that sort of question any thought at all. That is a graphic pointer to how politics and politicians have lost contact with the grassroots taken as a matter of fact, a vital component, in the yesteryears. Rob and Rob’s mob for instance might have been considered one eyed and all that but at least there was a connection across the divide.

by Lapun | 19th Feb 20, 8:27pm 1582097254

Time for political parties to be funded via $10 voucher for every voter. A bargain - cheaper than selecting a new flag.

by mikekirk29 | 19th Feb 20, 7:01pm 1582092106

By their friends shall Ye know them. What a predicable bunch National are. Next stop abolish foreign buyers ban

by Smalltown | 19th Feb 20, 7:23pm 1582093404

Can someone pls explain why Soymon isn't in the dock?

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 8:07pm 1582096076

JLR did not have the hard evidence to implicate him and the other defendants said they were acting on instruction from JLR.

by Smalltown | 19th Feb 20, 8:22pm 1582096963

Isn't there a tape recording of Soymon instructing JLR?

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 9:19pm 1582100389

Yes, in the exchange that was played/reported in the news, it did not clearly implicate SB - it sounded to me like JLR was attempting to lead him into saying something along the lines of an instruction about how the $100K donation should be treated, but he didn't get that admission or instruction. Simon was more implicated in a 'cash for candidacy' way than in how to treat the actual donation.

by Houseworks | 19th Feb 20, 9:26pm 1582100781

You can listen to the recording yourself online smalltown, which I did recently. My take is Snake in the grass JLR recorded the convo and tried to put words into Simon's mouth ... JLR sucker he deserves this outcome but now he is whingeing "poor me, why me, mean national I am the fall guy". He has also been getting with female MPs and using them

by Kate | 19th Feb 20, 9:26pm 1582100815

Found it - the transcript of the conversation he handed to Police;

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107914931/jamilee-ross-and-si…

by loveyourwork | 19th Feb 20, 10:47pm 1582105679

Haha thanks Kate - still hilarious.

by sharetrader | 19th Feb 20, 10:52pm 1582105975

the part i find disturbing is the context of payment for list places,
when you add the CCP into the mix it becomes even more disturbing and shows the flaws in the MMP system where people are appointed to the list with no voting.
and that is happening for all the major parties, even their members are not getting to vote on these people they are being parachuted into the party at the whim of the leaders.
if you check out some of the list mps it looks very much like a couple of parties parachuting in members to garner votes from immigrant sections of our population, the reason i say that is you never hear from them or about them and a couple that have been there awhile have proven themselves to be ineffective
we should be able to list in preference members on the list as voters and do away with some of the dead wood
https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/…

by OpenMinded | 19th Feb 20, 8:54pm 1582098886

Did Soyman get to meet the PM on his last trip to see the sponsors at the CCP? His mentor JK did when he was visiting them last October.

by CourtJester | 20th Feb 20, 2:00pm 1582160414

Meeting a CCP top dog's gotta be like meeting Santa for these guys.
"And and and I want a... a biiiig mansion, with a big swimming pool!" *giggles excitedly*

by NZ Citizen | 19th Feb 20, 10:48pm 1582105732

Ah New Zealand, the land of the k(iwi). Oh sorry I mean latern festival.

Here are some thoughts:
- Leave the one belt one road initiative.
- Close the Confucian Institute (part funded by China).
- Strengthen ANZUS.
- New Zealand becomes the Switzerland of the South Pacific.

by RickStrauss | 20th Feb 20, 11:14am 1582150460

This just in, Simon's next announced National policy is proposing renaming the Kiwi to the Xiwi.

by Graham Adams | 20th Feb 20, 10:00am 1582146024

Anne-Marie Brady tweeted:
"Zhang Yikun said in a statement via his lawyer that he has been "donating to many political parties and campaigns". It would be good to ascertain who he donated to, & how much. I have gone through
@ElectoralCommNZ reports in the last ten years, & his name does not appear."

by Chairman Moa | 20th Feb 20, 11:05am 1582149925

NZ the least corrupted country.. My as$..

by Smalltown | 20th Feb 20, 1:54pm 1582160055

It's just that our media and police force are totally useless unless they are handed heads on a plate as done by JLR. I go back to the Todd/Farmer Bill escapade in Clueless Southland where Bill admitted to police that Todd had lied about the illegal recording (this was the PM making the statement at the time) yet the police said they did not have enough evidence. What was hidden in all Bill's texts to the electorate manager after midnight that caused the police to back off?

by Graham Adams | 20th Feb 20, 3:54pm 1582167241

It seems to me that the media are mostly interested in gloating over JLR's "own goal" or downfall and leaving untouched the question of just how deep the CCP's tentacles are embedded in our politics and among our elites. Like him or not, Ross has the information we all need to understand exactly how our politics works and what strings are being pulled from Beijing and by whom.
The fact the Nats have a former CCP member and spy trainer Jian Yang in their caucus who refuses to be interviewed by English-speaking media (and is never instructed to do so by Bridges) is a scandal that should also be brought into the spotlight.
Maybe Ross will tell us more about that situation as well.

by mikeeagle | 20th Feb 20, 8:02pm 1582182156

Well National might not like socialists but they sure love the Chinese Communist Party. Some would even say they are the Pacific Branch office of the CCP.