NZ First Have Not Breached Electoral Act

New Zealand Police National News Release 4:42pm

4 November 2008

In September 2008 Rodney Hide MP made a complaint to Police alleging that the New Zealand First return of party donations for 2007 was false and that the Secretary for New Zealand First had therefore committed an offence under s214G of the Electoral Act.

Police have completed enquiries into the circumstances of the New Zealand First return of party donations for 2007 lodged on 16 May 2008. Having assessed a range of information from various sources, and having considered the elements of the offence contained in s214G, Police are satisfied that no offence was committed.

Police do not intend to make further enquiries into this matter.

The date of the alleged offence was 16 May 2008 being the day that the return of party donations was made by New Zealand First to the Electoral Commission. The offence has a six month time limit for bringing a prosecution which expires on 16 November 2008.

Police will not be making any further comment.

ENDS

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