National Party Dominates NZ Political Donations Ahead of 2026 Election
Six months before the New Zealand election, the National Party has secured a dominant lead in political fundraising, amassing over $6.2 million in donations during 2025. This figure surpasses rivals Act ($2.44m) and Labour ($2.40m), bringing National’s total since 2023 to $22.4 million. While this exceeds its 2024 totals, it remains below the record $10.4 million raised in the previous election year. Key donors include the late Robert John Wares, who contributed $210,000 to National, and tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell, who donated significantly to National, Act, and New Zealand First, totaling over $700,000 across parties. Other notable contributors include Sir Brendan Lindsay and the Huljich family, who spread funds among coalition partners. Left-leaning parties received support from figures like Phillip Mills and Robert Morgan. The data highlights a significant financial advantage for National, driven by both large individual contributions and thousands of smaller donations, setting the stage for a well-funded campaign compared to its competitors.
Wire timeline
National Party Dominates NZ Political Donations Ahead of 2026 Election
Six months before the New Zealand election, the National Party has secured a dominant lead in political fundraising, amassing over $6.2 million in donations during 2025. This figure surpasses rivals Act ($2.44m) and Labour ($2.40m), bringing National’s total since 2023 to $22.4 million. While this exceeds its 2024 totals, it remains below the record $10.4 million raised in the previous election year. Key donors include the late Robert John Wares, who contributed $210,000 to National, and tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell, who donated significantly to National, Act, and New Zealand First, totaling over $700,000 across parties. Other notable contributors include Sir Brendan Lindsay and the Huljich family, who spread funds among coalition partners. Left-leaning parties received support from figures like Phillip Mills and Robert Morgan. The data highlights a significant financial advantage for National, driven by both large individual contributions and thousands of smaller donations, setting the stage for a well-funded campaign compared to its competitors.
The Spinoff