Donations and loans

Rules and some limits apply for donating or lending to candidates and parties.

Party donations

Parties must report donations and loans over a certain amount. Limits apply for receiving anonymous donations and overseas donations.

Rules for party donations and loans

Since 1 January 2023, registered political parties have to let us know within 10 working days when they get more than $20,000 from a single donor between 1 January of election year and the day before election day.

Donations exceeding $20,000

From 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2022, registered political parties had to let us know within 10 working days when they got more than $30,000 from a single donor within a 12-month period.

Donations exceeding $30,000

Candidate donations

Candidates must report donations to their election campaign that are over $1,500 and from 1 January 2023, candidate loans. Limits apply for receiving donations anonymously or from overseas.

Rules for candidate donations and loans

You can view candidate donation returns from past elections:

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2022 Hamilton West by-election

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2022 Tauranga by-election

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2020 General Election and referendums

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2018 Northcote by-election

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2017 General Election

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2017 Mt Albert by-election

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2016 My Roskill by-election

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