The row over secret political funding has flared again with
reports of emails which allege Labour's biggest political donor
also gave money to New Zealand First.
The emails appear to contradict repeated denials from NZ First
leader Winston Peters that his party did not receive money from
expat billionaire Owen Glenn. He was last in New Zealand in
February.
Peters used high theatre earlier this year when asked if he ever received any money from Glenn or any of his associates.
Peters held up a sign saying "No".
"Got that? N-o to every one of the allegations you have made," he said.
But reports of emails between transport tycoon Glenn and his New
Zealand PR man Steve Fisher tell a different story.
The PR company warns Glenn that Peters is saying no donation has
been received and urges Glenn to stick to that line so as not to
contradict him.
Glenn replies saying "Steve are you saying I should deny giving a donation to NZ First when I did?"
The PR firm says: "No, just stick to the line of referring stuff to NZ First."
Peters still maintains he never received any money from Glenn.
It's a delicate situation for Peters because Glenn had requested a job as New Zealand honorary consul to Monaco and as Foreign Minister, Peters could have a strong say in that.
National is calling for him to fully explain himself.
"I think there are some very serious questions for both Mr Peters and Helen Clark to answer about the nature of the donation and everything that surrounds it," says Gerry Brownlee, National MP.
Right now it's a mystery which surrounds exactly what assistance Glenn gave New Zealand First.
