Anonymous political donations hit $468,160 in first half of 2026, surpassing entire 2023 election cycle

New Zealand political parties received $468,160 through protected-from-disclosure donations in the first half of the 2026 election year, according to Electoral Commission figures to 30 June — already exceeding the total for the entire 2023 election cycle. National took $316,160 of it. An independent review recommended abolishing the scheme in 2023; Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith called it "not a priority."