The National Party has no plans to investigate a large donation from a businessman whose company was competing for, and went on to win, a government contract.
Matavai Resort, Niue Photo: RNZI
In 2014, Earl Hagaman made a $101,000 donation to the party, and the next month his company, Scenic Hotel Group, won the tender to manage the luxury Matavai Resort in Niue.
There is no record of Mr Hagaman ever having made a declarable-sized donation to the National Party before.
Peter Goodfellow Photo: National Party
The Labour Party has called for the Auditor-General to investigate the awarding of the contract, and Scenic Hotel Group says it would welcome any investigation.
However, the National Party said in a statement it was not currently planning to conduct an internal review, and New Zealanders had a right to support their party of choice.
National Party president Peter Goodfellow has declined repeated requests from RNZ News for an interview.
