9 Mar 2009

Labour spent most on 2008 election campaign

3:31 pm on 9 March 2009

The Labour Party was the biggest spender in last year's election, spending $2,263,841 on its campaign.

The Electoral Commission released expense returns for the 2008 election on Friday.

According to the returns filed, all parties spent within their limits. Election expense limits are based on whether a party contests the party vote and the number of electorates in which it stands a candidate.

The National Party spent $2,206,835, the Green Party $1,457,744 and the ACT Party $1,142,087. The Maori Party spent $187,752, the Progressive Party $168,229 and United Future $151,519.

New Zealand First filed an incomplete return.