Concern over fisheries donations to foundation

One of the country’s biggest fishing companies, Talley’s, and its managing director donated nearly $27,000 to the New Zealand First Foundation, which has been bankrolling the NZ First Party.

The foundation received $26,950 from seafood giant Talley’s and from managing director Sir Peter Talley between 2017 and 2019, according to records viewed by RNZ.

It received the money from

Talley’s in four amounts – all of which were below the threshold for public disclosure and so had not been publicly revealed.

Greenpeace was concerned by the donations and believed NZ First had too much sway over fishing policy and the party was too close to the industry.

Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman called on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to review key fishing policy decisions, which he said were favourable to the seafood industry, in light of the donation revelations.

‘‘I would also strongly urge her, going forward, to ensure that NZ First are not involved in any of the decision-making around fishing and oceans policy, just to protect the reputation of her Government.’’

On April 4, 2019, Talley’s deposited $2500 into the foundation bank account. The next day, Peter Talley personally made a $15,000 donation – one cent under the level at which donations are made public. Talley’s followed that up with a ‘‘fast deposit’’ of $2000 on July 29.

Talley’s also donated to the foundation during the 2017 election year, making a donation of $7450.

Peter Talley refused to comment when contacted by RNZ. He had previously told RNZ the donations were ‘‘none of your business’’.

Norman said it was important the donations to the foundation were disclosed, so the public could judge for itself whether the seafood industry had influence on Government decisions.

Norman wrote to Ardern last October expressing among his concerns that in early 2019 NZ First had blocked plans for a panel to advise on a fisheries review, after already blocking appointments to the same panel.

Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash told RNZ at the time that he had decided an independent panel was not needed, as Fisheries New Zealand were capable of running the review themselves.

Nash has also said donations did not influence policy and decisions followed Cabinet process.

Talley’s Group director Andrew Talley declined to comment yesterday