Senior NZ First MP Shane Jones has revealed he was invited to a party in Gloriavale.
The comments came while he was explaining to media that he didn't expect the religious sect to seek taxpayer funding, although it is entitled to apply for money from the Provincial Growth Fund.
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The reclusive West Coast community has applied for millions of dollars to fund a new health food enterprise, 1NEWS reports.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, the Regional Economic Minister said that the sect's funding application will be considered as professionally as any other, but that there was "certainly no guarantee that that application is going to see the fiscal light of day".
"I did not conceive at the time when we drove through the Cabinet paper that communes would be applying, but I have to accept that they've made an application and it will go through the process."
Mr Jones revealed that he spoke with members of the community during a recent trip to the West Coast, describing their encounter as "strange".
"I actually, at Shantytown, met in the audience two of the fellas from Gloriavale," he said.
"They were dressed like 1950s traffic officers, so they did stick out a bit. They had figurative names, something like Edgar, Eager Upright or something quite really strange."
Despite the men's unconventional appearances, Mr Jones said they had an "ordinary discussion", although he turned down an invitation to a Gloriavale party.
"I heard that it was alcohol-free, so I gave the invitation to the sitting member. I'm not going to Gloriavale."
Newshub.
