Sunday Star-Times

I SEE GREEN

Neil Finn bankrolls Chloe Swarbrick's election campaign

- MICHAEL DALY

Neil Finn didn’t want Chloe Swarbrick to dream her political career was over after an encouragin­g attempt at the Auckland mayoralty.

So, the multi-millionair­e musician gave the Green candidate $3000 ahead of the general election last year.

Finn was one of many prominent Kiwis to cough up the cash for their preferred political candidates, according to new details released by the Electoral Commission.

Returns provided by the candidates reveal the donations they received of $1500 or more, along with their individual expenses.

Hollywood movie star Cliff Curtis has played a wide variety of roles, including a bit part in last year’s election, when he boosted Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell’s coffers by $10,000.

Flavell was quick to clarify that he wouldn’t let Curtis’ donation muddy his movie-watching choices.

‘‘Either way I would have supported him. His stories are great, and he does this nation proud.’’

Tipene Funerals – which feature in the new reality TV show The Casketeers – bought life for the Whanau Ora Minister by donating $17,400 to Peeni Henare. He has now been gifted with something close to eternal youth, as the Minister of Youth.

It would seem Vodafone Warriors general manager Dave Curran still can’t get a win over the line, giving $4000 to Hone Harawira, of the obsolete Mana Party. Like the Warriors, Mana didn’t even make it to the coalition playoffs.

And Dick Frizzell can now be known for Mickey to Tiki to $2000 to Nash. The famous New Zealand pop culture artist gave Labour’s Napier MP Stuart Nash $2000.

He is not the only one who thought Labour was a work of art. Sculptor Greer Twiss was one of several artists who backed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her bid for the Mt Albert electorate.

He contribute­d $4100 to the cause. Other artists who contribute­d to Ardern were Stanley Palmer with $8400, Karl Maughan with $15,700, John Reynolds with $3200, and Michael Smitter with $6200.

Parnell arts patron Fran Wyborn provided $15,000 to National’s Auckland Central candidate Nikki Kaye. Nelson photograph­er Jose Cano’s help was worth $7000 to Nelson Green candidate Matt Lawrey, whose return described Cano’s contributi­on as ‘‘office rent free’’.

Businessma­n Sir Robert Jones wanted gratitude from the two major parties, donating $5000 a pop to both. Labour’s New Lynn MP Deborah Russell, and National’s Mt Albert candidate Melissa Lee were the recipients.

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