Decisions on alleged electoral law breaches
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Electoral Commission decisions database
A table and downloadable spreadsheet allow you to search and manipulate a database of summary information relating to Electoral Commission decisions on alleged electoral law breaches. Read more »
Electoral law links
This page lists and links to current laws and regulations relevant to parliamentary, local government, and school electoral matters. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-52, Labour Party, election advertisements
Labour Party sign in Mount Maunganui had a slash attached which obscured the promoter statement. No offence committed because the contravention was not wilful. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-51, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, Labour Party, Maori Party, election advertisements
Advertisement in the Hamilton Press contains election advertisements and its publication was not authorised in writing by the parties. Defects in the promoter statement will not be reported to the Police, however the failure to obtain written authorisation of the Parties will be reported. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-50, Labour Party, election advertisement
Labour Party billboard was not "published" within the meaning of section 4 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 when it was displayed to journalists filming a TV3 news item. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-49, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement
Act New Zealand booklet "Not your typical party" was not "published" within the meaning of section 4 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 when it was handed to a journalist at an ACT party conference. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-48, Labour Party, election advertisement
A red balloon bearing the Labour Party logo and website, displayed at a university club day, is not an election advertisement within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-37, ACT New Zealand, annual returns of donations 2005 and earlier
Free office space to the value of approximately $20,000 per year provided to ACT New Zealand up until 2005 was a party donation and was not included in ACT’s annual returns of donations for the relevant years. ACT New Zealand is required to file amended returns for the relevant years. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-47, Green Party, election advertisement
Green Party signs in Palmerston North did not contain a promoter statement but the offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-46, National Party, election advertisement
Flyer distributed by Nicky Wagner MP did not contain a promoter statement and its publication does not appear to have been authorised in writing by the financial agent for the National Party. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-45, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement
Rodney Hide’s jacket bearing an embroidered logo and slogan did not contain a promoter statement and its publication does not appear to have been authorised in writing by the financial agent for ACT New Zealand. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-44, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement
Flyer distributed in Hunua electorate promoting Roger Douglas and ACT New Zealand is an election advertisement in favour of ACT, did not contain a promoter statement, and its publication was not authorised in writing by the financial agent for ACT. The failure to obtain written authorisation from the party financial agent will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-43, National Party, Cobb & Co Paraparaumu, election advertisement
Advertisement in the Kapiti Observer sponsored by Cobb & Co Paraparaumu is an election advertisement in favour of the National Party, did not contain a satisfactory promoter statement, and its publication was not authorised in writing by the National Party. The failure to obtain written authorisation of the Party will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-42, National Party (anti), election advertisements
National Party polices released by Trevor Mallard MP and Jim Anderton MP are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 and therefore their publication is not governed by the requirements of the Act. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-41, various broadcasters, election programmes, election advertisements
Live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s election date announcement is not an election advertisement within the meaning of the Electoral Finance Act, and is not a prohibited election programme within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-38, NZ First, annual returns of donations 2005-7
(Full Decision Released) Donations made to NZ First in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 years were not included in the party’s annual returns of donations. No offence committed by the Party Secretary in respect of 2007 return. NZ First is required to file amended returns and accompanying auditor’s reports for 2005 and 2006 (since received without auditor's reports). Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-40, New Zealand Labour Party, elections advertisements
The Office of the Prime Minister published a Labour Party video on YouTube without a promoter statement. No determination made as to whether the video is an election advertisement but, if it is an election advertisement, any potential contravention was not wilful and therefore no offence committed. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-39, ACT New Zealand, election advertisements
Act New Zealand candidate Kenneth Wang’s billboard and pamphlet captioned “Vote Kenneth Wang, get Wang + Wong” do not contain election advertisements in favour of the National Party within the meaning of sections 5 and 65(1) of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-36, election advertisement, DB Breweries Ltd
Tui billboards “When Winston says no he means no - Yeah right” are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-35, Beehive website, election advertisements
Specified items on the Government (Beehive) website are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-34, Radio Network, election advertisements, election programmes
NewsTalk ZB talkback programme hosted by Winston Peters MP is not an election advertisement with the meaning of the Electoral Finance Act. NewsTalk ZB talkback programme hosted by Shane Jones MP is an election advertisement, did not contain a promoter statement, and the offence will be reported to the Police. Both programmes are prohibited election programmes within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act, and the offences will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-33, National Party (anti), election advertisements
Items displayed and handed to members of the public during a protest outside the National Party conference, “authorised” by Clinton Smith, did not display promoter statements. No offence committed because the contravention was not wilful. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-32, Labour Party, election advertisement
Labour MP Pete Hodgson’s letter canvassing contributions to the Labour Century Fund did not display a promoter statement. No offence committed because the contravention was not wilful. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-31, National Party, election advertisements
National MP Eric Roy’s advertisements in the Southland Express do not contain party election advertisements within the meaning of sections 4 and 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-30, National Party, election advertisement
National MP Chris Auchinvole’s website does not contain party election advertisements within the meaning of sections 4 and 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-29, Jim Anderton's Progressive, electronic newsletter
"JIM’s e-News" of 16 May did not contain a promoter statement. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-28, Democrats for Social Credit, late annual donation return
The Democrats for Social Credit donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-27, The Alliance, late annual donations return
There was a reasonable excuse for the late filing, therefore no offence was committed. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-26, National Party, policy document
A policy document displayed in a street window and handed out to the public is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-25, Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc, election advertisement
A newspaper advertisement is an election advertisement, and the value exceeds the limit at which the unlisted third party was required to list. The facts will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-24, New Zealand First, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting flyer
A flyer inviting people to a meeting with Winston Peters is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-23, Labour Party, campaign caravan
A campaign caravan lacks a promoter statement, but no offence committed as the contravention is not wilful. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-22, National Party, meeting leaflet
A leaflet inviting people to a meeting with John Key is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-21, Labour Party, election advertisement
A newspaper advertisement is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-20, EPMU listing as a third party
The EPMU will be listed as a third party on Monday, 4 August 2008, unless the commission is restrained by court order. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-19, NZ First, late annual donations return
Late annual donations return for 2007, but no offence committed due to reasonable excuse. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-18, Green Party, late s54 donation return
Late return disclosing donation exceeding $20,000 but no offence committed due to reasonable excuse. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-17, Labour Party, file boxes
The commission is unable to consider the complaint due to Parliamentary privilege. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-16, election advertisement, phone canvassing
Complaint of phone canvassing being non-complying election advertising to be referred to the Police for investigation as insufficient information available for commission to determine whether belief of offence exists. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-15, PPTA billboard
PPTA billboard not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-14, Labour Party, budget pamphlet
Labour Party pamphlet about the 2008 Budget had the correct promoter statement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-13, National, van
Sign-written National Party van not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-12, Labour, wheel cover
A spare wheel cover with words and a Labour Party logo is an election advertisement without a promoter statement, but not displayed wilfully so no offence committed. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-11, Progressive, newspaper advertisement
Progressive advertisement appearing in the Southland Express on 10 April 2008 re BZP is an election advertisement without a promoter statement and will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-10, New Zealand First, newspaper advertisement
New Zealand First advertisement “What’s in it for us?” published in several daily newspapers on 9 April 2008 is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-03 Late Annual Donations The Republic of New Zealand Party
The Republic of New Zealand Party’s donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-02 Late Annual Donations Libertarianz
Annual returns of party donations were required to be filed with the Electoral Commission by 30 April 2008. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-04 Late Annual Donations Direct Democracy Party
The Direct Democracy Party’s donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-05 Late Annual Donations ACT New Zealand
ACT New Zealand’s donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-09, New Zealand First, display of banners in Tauranga
Finding on banners displayed in Tauranga promoting New Zealand First did not display promoter statements. Contravention of the Electoral Finance Act 2007, by failure to display promoter statements. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-08, Green Party, three posters displayed in Morningside, Auckland
Finding on posters promoting the Green Party did not display promoter statements, however no offence committed because the financial agent did not wilfully contravene the Act. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-07, National Party, pamphlet
Finding of complaint re flyer entitled "Join the conversation". No contravention of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-06, Green Party, billboard non-compliant promoter statements
Finding that promoter statement on a billboard in Wellington did not contain the correct address but offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-01, Green Party, return of party donation exceeding $20k
Finding of failure to file the return within 10 working days of receipt of the relevant donation, however no offence committed as there was reasonable excuse. Read more »
Listing of EPMU as a third party - Electoral Commission decision
The Electoral Commission has decided to list the New Zealand Amalgamated Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Inc (EPMU) as a third party. Read more »
Electoral Commission consideration of Electoral Finance Act matters
The Electoral Commission this afternoon made decisions relating to a range of matters raised with it under the Electoral Finance Act. Read more »
