New Zealand Deputy PM Winston Peters won’t quit over donations probe

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is clinging to office despite a probe into a fundraising arm of his party.

Winston Peters with Jacinda Ardern in parliament last week. Picture: AAP

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is clinging to office as an official investigation is launched into a fundraising arm of his party.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is standing by the New Zealand First leader, despite calling on the 74-year-old to give proper explanations of his party’s murky behaviour.

On Tuesday, the Serious Fraud Office said it had launched an investigation into New Zealand First Foundation over donations it has received. The Electoral Commission had referred the case, suggesting the donations should have been ­declared as per electoral law.

The opposition National Party has called on Mr Peters to step down.

On his way into parliament on Tuesday, Mr Peters laughed off the idea. “Why would I do that? Sorry sunshine,” he said. “We welcome (the investigation). We want the truth to be out there.”

On his way out of the chamber, he stopped and played Radio Ga Ga by Queen on his phone to journalists before walking away.

Mr Peters has repeatedly evaded questions on his party’s fundraising foundation despite a number of reports that suggest ­illegalities or the potential for conflicts of interest. That ­includes the alleged receipt of donations from several racing industry figures. Mr Peters is the Racing Minister.

Radio NZ has also reported that one of the foundation’s two trustees, Doug Woolerton, is a lobbyist who pushed for law ­reform that would have benefited a party donor. While these accusations could cripple New Zealand First and damage Mr Peters, it’s also bad news for Ms Ardern in an election year.

Ms Ardern’s Labour Party is in government thanks to a ­coalition agreement with the minor party, and their election fates could be intertwined. She is hoping the Kiwi electorate — which is used to minor parties in government under the mixed-member proportional system — will distinguish between their behaviours when voting on September 19.

“In an MMP environment we have to be really clear. Political parties need to take responsibilities for themselves,” she said.

“My role, and I take it very ­seriously, is the conduct of the Labour Party. New Zealand First has to take responsibility for their members.”

Opposition Leader Simon Bridges said Ms Ardern was “complicit by her see no evil, hear no evil approach”.

Complicating matters further, Mr Bridges’ National Party has also been investigated by the SFO, with four people being charged over undeclared donations.

AAP