National Party sitting on huge $11 million election year war chest

Thursday, 7 May 2026

The National Party has collected more than $11 million in donations since the last election, and is now sitting on a massive election-year war chest which is at least double what any other party has.

According to the Electoral Commission, which on Thursday published the donations returns from all political parties from last year, National has $11.4 million in declared donations which it can use to campaign this year.

That’s far more than its closest rival, the ACT Party, which has declared just $4.5m since the last election. Labour is not far behind, with $4.2m.

The Green Party was in fourth position, with $3.5m. And NZ First has $2.5m.

The Opportunity Party has declared just $423,549, which was slightly above what Te Pāti Māori has received, with $227,617.

These declared donations tallies include total donations received in 2024 and 2025, as well as the major donations (of above $20,000) received so far in 2026.

Political parties rely on donations to pay for things like advertising, leaflet drops and billboards during the election campaign. It can also pay for extra staff and travel which can’t be paid for out of their parliamentary budgets.

As well as these donations, political parties also receive a taxpayer-funded broadcasting allowance. The Electoral Commission also confirmed those allowances for the 2026 campaign. The broadcasting allocation was divided up based on the vote parties receives at the previous election.

National would get the most, with $1.08m to spend on radio, television and online advertising. Labour got $913,000. The Greens, ACT and NZ First would receive between $290,000 and $400,000 each, with Te Pāti Māori getting $228,000.

Outside of Parliament, the Opportunity Party would receive $114,000.

All other parties that didn’t make it to Parliament would get under $80,000 each.