The Republic of New Zealand Party

What does Winston have to hide? This is the question everybody is asking and Hans Laven, Tauranga Candidate for the Republic of New Zealand Party, joins the call for Winston to come clean.

“We support the right of citizens to donate money as they wish. But why did Winston hold up big “NO” sign when asked whether he had received $100,000 from Owen Glenn?” asked Mr Laven.

“That seemed like a lot of effort to go to in order to make a denial that he would later retract. Then he claimed his lawyer did not tell him about the donation or who gave it. Yeah, right! It is inconceivable that the leader of any party would not be made aware of such a large boost to its coffers.”

“Then we learn that he has privately asked other rich and influential people to donate money that, for some reason, was directed to a trust fund separate from the party, and that Winston had not seen fit to include these donations in the appropriate returns.”

Mr Laven said that, like most New Zealanders, he found Winston’s behaviour suspicious. He questioned whether the foreign minister might have offered to use his position to repay those who donated, and was now trying to cover up this corruption.

“These are the obvious conclusions that taxpayers will draw because NZ First refuses to give straight answers to simple questions. You would have to be a fool to trust Winston Peters now” Mr Laven said.

He said The Republic of New Zealand Party believes in complete transparency for electoral funding.

“Voters have a right to know who has given money to a political party and how much,” Mr Laven concluded.

Ends