NZ First charges to trial

Auckland: One of the people charged over the investigation into the New Zealand First Foundation has pleaded not guilty and will go to trial.

The charges were brought by the Serious Fraud Office after an investigation into the foundation and its handling of donations.

They are accused of obtaining more than $700,000 between 2015 and 2020 then used to pay NZ First party expenses.

Neither person can be identified but the SFO confirmed before the election they were not ministers, sitting MPs, candidates, staffers or current members of NZ First. — RNZ