New documents reveal the Justice Minister's office asked for an official briefing five days before a controversial dinner with Oravida executives in China.
Judith Collins' office initially sought a briefing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Photo: RNZ
Judith Collins has been under fire for visiting the milk export company when she was in China last October, because her husband David Wong-Tung is a director on its board.
The papers released under the Official Information Act showed that five days before the dinner, the Minister's office sought a briefing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
But two days later, it said it was a private dinner and nothing from the Ministry was required.
Judith Collins has since insisted no official business was discussed.
The documents also showed the Minister's visit to Oravida's Shanghai offices was part of the official itinerary before she left.
Oravida donated $30,000
It's been revealed that Oravida donated $30,000 to the National Party, two months after the Justice Minister Judith Collins visited their offices in China last October.
The information is contained in the Electoral Commission's annual information on party donations.
But Ms Collins says there is no link between her dinner with Oravida in China last year and a political donation from the company two months later.
Ms Collins says Labour Party suggestions that there is a link between the dinner in China and the donation are appalling and she had no idea about the donation until she read it in the Electoral Commission information on Friday.
Oravida had previously donated $50,000 to the party.
Of the major parties, the Electoral Commission information showed National received just over $1 million in donations.
The Labour Party received just over $483,000 but no donations over $15,000.
The Greens received nearly $390,000, though about $260,000 of that was made from compulsory contributions from its MPs
Of the smaller parties, ACT received just over $136,000, New Zealand First received just $3500.
Mana received just over $28,000, and the Maori Party nearly $76,000.
United Future and the Alliance received no donations.
