SFO files criminal charges in relation to Labour donation

Serious Fraud Office files criminal charges against six people in relation to donation made to Labour

13th May 21, 11:46am by Jenée Tibshraeny

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has filed criminal charges against six people in relation to a donation made to the Labour Party.

The SFO says none of the defendants are sitting MPs or current or former officials of the Labour Party.

It hasn’t named the defendants, as they’re entitled to seek name suppression.

Labour Party general secretary Rob Salmond said, “The Labour Party has complied with the law.

“Labour has not sought any suppression orders from the Courts.

“As the matter is before the Courts, we won’t be making any further comment.”

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.

16 Comments

by Foxglove. | 13th May 21, 6:21pm 1620886901

Not so long ago our MPs in parliament, who we both empower and entrust to legislate our laws, passed laws to monitor, curb and control donations to political parties and/or identities, national and local. With almost obscene haste, numbers of those very same lawmakers set about circumventing and defeating those very same laws. Here Labour are being highlighted but they are hardly alone are they. It is as surreptitious as it is arrogant. We as NZrs are required to respect and abide by the law, but they themselves are not. The irony does not escape me but quite honestly they and their attitude suck.

ps. and there was our PM on TV1 news spouting as much as that. The usual merry go round of meaningless mealy mouthed words.

by Uninterested | 13th May 21, 12:18pm 1620865128

It's almost a full house now on donation fraud. Full house... Almost all the political parties and the Ak Mayor are now being investigated.
With NZ supposedly the most fraud free place in the world it is interesting that this is happening right at the top. Well "top" may be the wrong word, given past and present performance.

by Beanie | 13th May 21, 6:32pm 1620887573

This is currently THE most important issue that will influence what the future of NZ will be like. Its obvious that it is donors that dictate the things that really matter. Some will donate to all parties to cover their bases.

Ask most people and they will say we have a democracy here, but to actually achieve a proper democracy we must ban donations and fund the parties fairly from the taxpayers purse. The cost would be a drop in the bucket compared to other costs of being our own sovereign nation.

And what influence on government policy have donors had? I would say immigration, labour laws, foreign ownership, tax law and rates, selling state assets...you know...important stuff like those.

by Uninterested | 13th May 21, 7:31pm 1620891091

That would drive it even more under the table... Before during or after the behaviour has been influenced...
I could be wrong but one may speculate about the deal where an ex PM sells an asset at well above its valuation.

by Mark L | 14th May 21, 10:23pm 1620987799

The SFO couldn’t work out if anyone should be held accountable for NZ FujiXerox’s $500 Million fraud so I don’t think that anyone else should fear them.

by Kate | 13th May 21, 12:54pm 1620867287

Wonder if it is the same Zhangs and Zhengs that are charged in relation to NP donations? Same 'players' are also involved in a NZ First investigation;

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300306540/serious-fraud-offic…

by Uncle Bulgaria | 13th May 21, 4:46pm 1620881217

Very astute

by Davo3636 | 15th May 21, 6:10pm 1621059010

That's a racist statement! Reporting!

Joking, it's probably all too accurate unfortunately.

by jim hansford | 13th May 21, 2:13pm 1620872004

It is the new soft war.. How to take ownership of a country without a shot being fired. Take the top 50 politicians and then most influential media people and bribe them massively to follow your Agenda. Then all of a suddeny you get free trade deals that are free in name alone. A TPP negotiation where the people of NZ are not allowed to see the detail of the agreement before it is signed.. immigration categories that permit the purchase of citizenship. The waiving of English language test results. Rights to the export of nz resources with no taxation(water). you dont have to invade, just buy the top..

by Uninterested | 13th May 21, 3:22pm 1620876175

On the development next door in Ak, about 90% of all the contractors have been Chinese. Vertical integration to the extreme.
And most, say 80% have no English whatsoever. Absolutely none. eg Can you move your illegally parked car please?.... looks at another Chinese to see if they understood what I said. ie No reason to feign ignorance because moving it is a small thing.

by NZChinese | 14th May 21, 11:59am 1620950353

NZ runs an immigration economy, especially coming down to properties.

by KH | 13th May 21, 6:24pm 1620887078

The really interesting one is the Maori Party.
With wads of cash coming from somewhere and more than a hint it could be government funding diverted from health and social services. But only hint so far.

by Foxglove. | 13th May 21, 5:45pm 1620884748

Blimey that is a bit inflammatory given antics by said party on display of late.Is it though viewing the smoke in a mirror or viewing the mirror through the smoke?Of course you do realise you are a solid candidate for a racist label.

by NZChinese | 14th May 21, 9:30am 1620941407

Could it be another CCP proxy? Is the National Party out of the woods over their SFO donation investigations yet?

by Takere | 14th May 21, 12:57pm 1620953845

Well little ole NZs political system has been influenced and is in lockstep with corruption just like it is in most westernised countries. UK, US etc....
Widdle ole NZ is following what is fast becoming a worldwide normalised, and a acceptable practice.

by dago | 15th May 21, 2:17pm 1621045045

The past year should be enough to convince all but the most extremely naive, easily distracted or apathetic that NZ political system is thoroughly corrupted and termite infested