Judith Collins went on a taxpayer-funded visit to China last year. In her public role as Justice Minister, she was there to talk about our system.
But she was also welcomed into a New Zealand export company that her husband has a private interest in.
She says the purpose of her visit was "to actually have a cup of tea on the way to the airport".
Ms Collins' husband, David Wong-Tung, is one of three directors of Oravida – a milk and food export company.
On its website the company referred to her as the Justice Minister. It says she recognised the company's efforts, and "congratulated us on what we have achieved and encouraged us to continue".
Ms Collins also opened the company's Auckland headquarters last year, with Mr Wong-Tung standing behind her. She says it is not an issue that she was effectively promoting the company where her husband is a director.
She also says it is "not necessarily true" that he would benefit financially from the company doing well.
"If he were a shareholder he would," she says.
The Cabinet manual, effectively a minister's bible, states "a conflict may arise if people close to a minister, such as a minister's family […] might derive, or be perceived as deriving, some personal, financial, or other benefit from a decision or action by the minister".
It goes on: "When accepting an invitation, a minister should inform the organisation that it may not use any photos taken of the minister at the event in a way that could be perceived as an endorsement by the minister."
"They're also personal friends of mine so I'll do that for people whenever they ask me to," says Ms Collins.
Oravida's founder and chairman is Deyi Shi. He has played golf with Prime Minister John Key and goes by his English name, Stone. He owns Auckland's most expensive house, the former Mark Hotchin mansion on Paritai Dr.
Oravida's links with National go further. In 2011, it donated $56,000 towards the party's election war chest. Ms Collins says she did not know anything about that.
3 News
source: newshub archive
