2022 annual party returns
The 2022 party returns of donations and loans have been published on the Electoral Commission website.
Changes to the election finance rules
The reporting requirements for parties changed on 1 January 2023, but these changes do not apply to the 2022 annual returns. The changes will be reflected in next year’s returns.
There is more information on the rules on our website.
Newly registered political parties
Freedoms New Zealand and the New Nation Party are not included in this year’s returns. They do not have to file a return for 2022 as they were only registered in 2023.
Background on the annual returns
Registered parties must file a return with the Electoral Commission by 30 April each year setting out donations and loans to the party for the previous year ending 31 December. In 2023, 30 April fell on a Sunday and the date returns were due was Monday 1 May.
The party secretary is responsible for recording donations and loans and filing a return that is true and correct.
The return must include the name and address of any donor who has donated a total of more than $15,000 in one or more payments in the past year.
Each party is required to have their return audited and to submit the auditor’s report with the annual return. The auditor must state whether, in their opinion, the return fairly reflects donations received and loans entered into by the party secretary.
The returns are published on the Electoral Commission website for public inspection.