Winston Peters prides himself on New Zealand First being the most democratic and transparent party in the country.
He's said it time and time again, most recently saying it yesterday in the Bowen House foyer after another round of negotiations with Labour and National.
Which makes it strange that the party’s board of directors is so secretive. Its members are not listed on the party's website, nor on the party’s constitution.
Its MPs refuse to say who makes up the party’s board as well.
The lack of transparency is concerning given the board of directors will make the final decision over New Zealand First forming a government with National, or with Labour.
Mr Peters says the board will meet by Monday, and rather than voting on the options, they will discuss it until there is a unanimous consensus.
So, who is on this secretive board? Newshub has been digging and has found out.
Party leader: Winston Peters
Winston Peters needs no introduction. He's been the leader since forming the party in 1993. He held the balance of power in 1996 (siding with National) and in 2005 (siding with Labour). He's 72 years old and lives in St Mary's Bay, Auckland.
Party deputy leader: Ron Mark
A former soldier in the Army and a former Labour Party candidate from the '90s, Ron Mark joined NZ First in 1996 and was an MP until 2008. He re-joined the party in 2014 and rolled Tracey Martin as deputy leader not long after. He lives in Wairarapa.
President: Brent Catchpole
Brent is a former NZ First MP, serving just a single term between 2002 - 2005. He lives in Auckland, and he's held numerous position in local government, his most recent being a seat on the Papakura Local Board in Auckland.
North Island Vice President: Julian Paul
Julian Paul was selected as the North Island VP in July 2016. Before that, he held a role as a director on the party's board. He's worked in the sales sector for the last 7 years, including Appco Group, AA Insurance and Co-Op Insurance. Julian has a BA in politics and Chinese from Massey University.
South Island Vice President John Thorn
John Thorn is the most mysterious of all the board members. There's nothing about him online at all. All we know is that he lives in the South Island.
Party Secretary: Anne Martin
Anne Martin is a party stalwart, former president and is one of the reasons the party didn't disappear after its 2008 loss; she fought to rebuild it. She is the mother of the party's MP and former deputy leader Tracey Martin. Anne's other daughter is in the negotiating team. Anne is arguably Winston's longest-serving and most trusted party official.
Treasurer: Holly Ellen
Holly Ellen's Facebook page listed Parliamentary Services as her place of work, but it was later deleted after Newshub enquired about her to the party's press secretary. She has chaired numerous meetings for the party, including in Carterton and Whanganui.
Ex-officio director-general: Kristin Campbell-Smith
She lives in Rotorua and works as a director of East-West Apartments. Kristen has a BA in history and sociology from Massey University, and during the election she was on holiday in the United States.
Elected director 1: Robert Monds
It's not clear what Robert Monds does to pass his time. His Facebook page lists his past employer as NZ First itself. He may still be a student at the University of Auckland.
Elected director 2: Kevin Gardner
Kevin Gardner was the party's president between 2010 and 2013 before being replaced by Anne Martin. He doesn't have a Facebook page, Twitter page or LinkedIn page.
Elected director 3: Claire Ashley
Claire Ashley is the second most mysterious member of the board. There's no information on her anywhere. Not even a photo.
Elected director 4: Toa Greening
Toa Greening stood for the party in the Papakura seat at the election. The 45-year old grew up in Hastings before moving to Auckland, and he now lives in Papakura suburb The Gardens. He has an engineering degree and enjoys mountain biking.
Elected director 5: Anne-Marie Andrews
Anne-Marie stood for New Zealand First in the Coromandel electorate at the election. She jointly owns an investment and import company and also works as a mentor and counsellor. Previously, she was a regional manager of Parents Inc.
Elected director 6: Sue Sara
Sue Sara stood for the party in the Nelson electorate. She previously worked as the office manager for former New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser. She's a Nelson native and was educated at Nelson College. Banning the use of 1080 is one of her core values.
Newshub.
