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Electoral Act 1993

Election expenses, donations, and annual financial statements - Disclosure of parties' donations

210C: Return of party donation received from same donor exceeding $20,000

You could also call this:

"Telling the Electoral Commission about big donations over $20,000"

Illustration for Electoral Act 1993

If you are a party secretary, you must tell the Electoral Commission about donations over $20,000. You have to give them details like the donor's name and address, and the amount of the donation. You must do this within 20 working days of getting the donation. When a donor gives you more than $20,000 in a certain time, you must report it. This time is usually from the start of the year or when the Prime Minister says there will be an election, until the day before the election. You must also report if a donor gives you smaller amounts that add up to more than $20,000. You have to fill out a special form with the Electoral Commission to report these donations. The form asks for things like the donor's name, address, and how much they gave. If someone helps the donor give the money, you need to include their details too. The Electoral Commission has rules about how to fill out the form and what to include. You can find more information about the Electoral Commission and the rules on their website or by visiting https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1093045. Remember to follow the rules and give the Electoral Commission the information they need. This helps keep elections fair and transparent.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1868348.

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210B: Nil return, or

"Telling us you have no information to share"

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210D: Offences relating to return of party donations, or

"Breaking the rules about reporting party donations can lead to big fines or serious trouble"

Part 6AElection expenses, donations, and annual financial statements
Disclosure of parties' donations

210CReturn of party donation received from same donor exceeding $20,000

  1. A party secretary must file with the Electoral Commission a return in respect of every party donation received from a donor during the period specified in subsection (2) (the specified period) that—

  2. exceeds $20,000; or
    1. when aggregated with all previous donations received from the donor in the specified period, exceeds $20,000.

      1. The specified period is,—

      2. if a general election is held in the calendar year in which the term of Parliament is due to expire, the period—
        1. commencing on the earlier of the following dates:
          1. the day after the date on which the Prime Minister gives public notice of the day that is to be polling day; and
            1. 1 January of that year; and
            2. ending on the close of the day before polling day; or
            3. if a general election is held in a year other than in the calendar year in which the term of Parliament is due to expire, the period—
              1. commencing on the day after the date on which the Prime Minister gives public notice of the day that is to be polling day; and
                1. ending on the close of the day before polling day.

                2. If a return is made under subsection (1)(b), the donations disclosed in that return must be disregarded when applying this section in relation to a party donation that is made after that return is filed.

                3. A return filed under subsection (1)(a) must be in the form required by the Electoral Commission and set out—

                4. the name of the donor (if known); and
                  1. the address of the donor (if known); and
                    1. the amount of the donation; and
                      1. the date the donation was received; and
                        1. the following details in respect of every contribution to the donation made by or on behalf of the same contributor that exceeds $20,000:
                          1. the name of the contributor; and
                            1. the address of the contributor; and
                              1. the amount of the contribution.

                              2. A return filed under subsection (1)(b) must be in the form required by the Electoral Commission and set out—

                              3. the name of the donor; and
                                1. the address of the donor; and
                                  1. the amount of the donation; and
                                    1. the amounts of all previous donations; and
                                      1. the date the donation was received; and
                                        1. the dates all previous donations were received.

                                          1. A return must be filed under subsection (1)(a) or (b) within 20 working days of the donation being received by the party secretary.

                                          2. In this section, give public notice means issue a media statement.

                                          Compare
                                          Notes
                                          • Section 210C: inserted, on , by section 6 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2009 (2009 No 1).
                                          • Section 210C heading: amended, on , by section 8(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(1): replaced, on , by section 8(2) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(2): replaced, on , by section 8(2) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(3): amended, on , by section 8(3) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(4): amended, on , by section 8(4) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(4)(d): amended, on , by section 39(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 8).
                                          • Section 210C(4)(e): inserted, on , by section 39(2) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 8).
                                          • Section 210C(4)(e): amended, on , by section 8(5) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(5): amended, on , by section 8(6) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(6): amended, on , by section 123 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 82).
                                          • Section 210C(6): amended, on , by section 8(7) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).
                                          • Section 210C(7): inserted, on , by section 8(8) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 80).