New Zealand First out of the dog box?

The New Zealand Police have just announced that they will not prosecute New Zealand First’s party secretary for false election returns in 2005 and 2007 because “no offence was committed”. The 2006 return may have also been false, but it is unsure at this stage.

In September leader of the minor party ACT, Rodney Hide, laid a complaint with the police that the electoral returns for 2007 on spending were false.

The main reason the return(s) are false are due to a secret trust called The Spencer Trust which is used to funnel big donations into the coffers of New Zealand First.

The police investigated the claims and today declared that no offence had been committed under the Electoral Act. In a press statement Police said, “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.”

The party secretary can only be charged if they knowingly file a false declaration.

They will not make any further enquirers into what New Zealand First describes as a smear campaign orchestrated by the media, among other groups.

Winston Peters, leader of the embroiled minor party, said that he always knew the allegations made before him were baseless and had expected to have been cleared earlier by the police.

If an offence had occurred, the police would have had to have laid charges by November 18 – the cutoff date for charges to be laid.

Last month, the Serious Fraud Office also found New Zealand First to have not done anything fraudulent. And, despite being cleared by those two separate investigations, the major National Party and minor party the Greens have declared they won’t work alongside Winston Peters.

Election campaign starts

Today sees the broadcast of the Opening Addresses by political parties in New Zealand, such as Labour, National, Greens, etc. Tomorrow sees the campaign launches of the two biggest parties, Labour and National.

The Greens and New Zealand First, among others, have already launched their campaigns with local celebrities such as Robyn Malcolm of Outrageous Fortune fame. Ms Malcolm plays Cheryl West on the critically acclaimed local series (with derivitives in production in Britain and America), and is a self-proclaimed ‘greenie’.

I have been conducting interviews with leaders for Wikinews’ New Zealand General Election coverage to see how they intend to lead the country if voted for. I’ve only published one interview so far; that being with John Key, leader of the National party. In the coming few days an interview with current Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party will be published, followed shortly by Russel Norman: co-leader of the Green party. Keep watching here, or Wikinews, for those.

I have all asked them the same questions as not to show any of my current prejudices or biasism in the articles; it will also allow you (the readers) to compare the parties on policy and make up your mind for November 8.

Four days following the American presidential election, November 8, New Zealanders will head to the polling booths to vote for our preffered political party and electorate representative.