Te Pāti Māori has once more missed its legal deadline under the Electoral Act, missing the 30 June deadline to file audited financial statements. This is despite being formally warned by police last year for the same offence.
The party has also yet to provide an audit report for last year’s overdue financials. The Electoral Commission claims it is following up.
Labour is also late, having submitted its financial statements but not the audit. However, the commission says it is satisfied with Labour’s explanation and is not taking further action for now.
Under section 210J of the Electoral Act, it is a criminal offence for a party secretary to file late without a reasonable excuse. Te Pāti Māori offered no public comment. In December, police issued a formal warning after the party’s previous failure to comply.
Te Pāti Māori faces a challenge from Labour’s Peeni Henare in the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection triggered by the death of MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp. Henare narrowly lost the seat in 2023, and tensions have erupted over Labour’s decision to contest it.
Te Pāti Māori figures, including president John Tamihere and his daughter Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, accused Labour of being “greedy” for running Henare, who is a sitting MP, in the race.
Polling suggests a 50-50 race. National, ACT and NZ First are not standing. The Greens have also pulled out, citing limited resources.
Centrist Ltd.