A guide to the NZ First entities

There are so many entities involved in NZ First or associated with them, that I thought it would be useful to list them.

• New Zealand First Political Party: A political party registered under the Electoral Act 1993. Leader: Winston Peters, President: Vacant, Secretary: Liz Witehira (acting). Reveals donations and campaign spending as mandated by Electoral Act.
• New Zealand First Incorporated: An incorporated society registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. Annual accounts claim zero income and expenditure.
• New Zealand First Foundation: Appears to be atrust. Trustees appear to be Brian Henry (NZ First lawyer) and Doug Woolerton (lobbyist and former MP). Appears to have collected $500,000 of donations and lent money to NZ First and/or have paid bills on behalf of NZ First and/or their MPs
• QComms Limited: A company established in 2002. Sole shareholder and director is Brian Henry. Up until 2018 was called Henry Merchants International Ltd. In 2018 charged NZ First Foundation $93,000
• Thorn Services Limited: A purported company (can’t find on Companies Register) that invoices NZ First Foundation for wages connected to work for Qcomms. Stuff reports contractors include a former NZ First board member and Brian Henry’s daughter
• N.Z. Future Forest Products Limited. A company not formally associated with NZ First but has applied for government funding relating to forestry. Directors include Brian Henry, his son and Winston Peters’ partner
• Kinleith Continuation LP. Owns NZFFP Ltd. Public partner is Brian Henry’s son, private partner is unknown, but assumed to be a foreign investor

For the avoidance of doubt, the above is just a description of the various entities in the news. It is not suggesting there has been any illegal behaviour by the various officers.

What I will say though is it all seems very complex and designed to minimise transparency.