British American Tobacco (BAT) generate over a third of Keep New Zealand Beautiful's income, Newshub can reveal.
BAT's contribution to the anti-litter charity has risen from $100,000 to nearly $200,000 a year since 2008.
That's $1.3 million out of $4 million in total.
Keep New Zealand Beautiful is defending itself, saying the big polluters are paying to clear up their own mess, through volunteer-run clean-ups and education.
BAT says its involvement is part of the company's approach to responsible product stewardship, and the solution to cigarette butt litter is responsible disposal and education.
As for Keep New Zealand Beautiful - it's had BAT members on its board, but argues cigarette-makers are merely paying for careless smokers.
"People are going to smoke whether they've got bins there or not," Keep New Zealand Beautiful says.
"That's the reality of it - they're helping clear up the mess that people make, not they make."
In line with Government guidelines the non-governmental organisation can't name BAT as a sponsor, but it does acknowledge the funding elsewhere on its website, emphasising that it doesn't amount to an endorsement.
Newshub.
