Donations and loans

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

Party donations and loans

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

Registered political parties have to let us know within 20 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

Registered political parties have to let us know within 10 working days when they get more than $30,000 from a single lender within a 12-month period.

Party loans exceeding $30,000

Registered parties must also report party donations and loans received annually by 30 April of the following year.

Party donations and loans by year

Candidate donations

Candidates must report donations to their election campaign that are over $1,500 and 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 2023 Port Waikato by-election

Candidate expenses and donations for the 2023 General Election

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 Mt Roskill by-election