NZ First Foundation investigation will end ahead of election

The Serious Fraud Office has released a timeline of its investigation into the NZ First Foundation, showing it will be completed before the September election.

The outcome of the investigation will determine whether the SFO will formally lay charges in relation to the foundation.

Earlier this year the Electoral Commission said the foundation had received donations that should have been treated as donations to the NZ First political party.

An investigation published by Stuff and RNZ also found the foundation had paid for some party expenses.

The Electoral Commission referred the matter to the police, who referred it to the SFO, which will investigate and decide whether to lay charges.

SFO investigations are known for being comprehensive and lengthy and there was some doubt that an investigation would be completed by election day, September 19.

But an SFO spokesperson told Stuff it had planned to complete the investigation before September

and that its timeframe had not been altered by the lockdown.

‘‘The SFO’s pre-lockdown timetable ... would see us completing the investigation before the September election date,’’ the spokesperson said.

‘‘At this stage, we are progressing the investigation under the current lockdown restrictions and are still on track to complete it within that

timeframe,’’ they said.

Completing the investigation would require the lockdown to eventually be eased, as there were some interviews that could not be conducted at higher alert levels.

‘‘Our actual completion date will be dependent upon our ability to conduct certain interviews as well as other tasks which can only be completed at lower alert levels and the cooperation of those who hold information relevant to our investigation,’’ the spokesperson said.

Details of the NZ First Foundation were uncovered in a Stuff investigation in November 2019, showing that it appeared to act as a slush fund for the party.

Bank records, invoices and emails revealed about $500,000 of donations between 2017 and 2019 had entered into the foundation bank account.

Most were tagged as donations in their description. Donors contacted by Stuff said they thought they were making donations to the NZ First party.

Invoices showed the money was being spent on party-related expenses such as party headquarters, graphic design, an MP’s legal advice, and even a $5000 day at the Wellington races.