NZ First Foundation accused keep name suppression

WELLINGTON: Two people charged in connection with New Zealand First Foundation donations have won the right to keep their names secret for now.

The Serious Fraud Office has charged two people with obtaining by deception after its investigation into the foundation and its handling of donations.

They are accused of using a ‘‘fraudulent device, trick or stratagem’’ to secure more than $700,000, which was then used to pay expenses for the New Zealand First party.

On Thursday, four media companies challenged an interim suppression order protecting the identities of both of the accused.

RNZ, Stuff, NZME and TVNZ argued there was compelling public interest in knowing the identity of the pair given the election was just around the corner.

‘‘We want the voting public in New Zealand to have as much information as they can, as the courts will permit, before they exercise their right to vote,’’ lawyer Robert Stewart said in the Waitakere District Court on Thursday.

In a decision released yesterday, Judge Peter Winter ruled the suppression order should remain in place until their next court appearance later this month. — RNZ