Foundation funded UK trip

The controversial NZ First Foundation helped pay for an MP’s trip to observe the UK election.

NZ First MP Clayton Mitchell revealed the expense in the annual pecuniary interest register, released on Wednesday.

Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party helped pay for Mitchell’s accommodation on the trip.

The December UK election saw the victory of Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party.

Farage’s Brexit Party did not win a single seat.

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 half a million dollars 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 say they thought they were making donations to the NZ First political 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.

Mitchell, an NZ First MP based in Tauranga, is understood to be one of the party’s top fundraisers.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is currently investigating the foundation after the Electoral Commission found that donations to the foundation should have been declared on party electoral returns.

NZ First leader Winston Peters has consistently maintained that the foundation did nothing illegal and was based on the structure of the National Party foundation.

The SFO is expecting to complete its investigation before the September election.

Mitchell has been contacted for comment.