By 3 News online staff
A surprise donor has been revealed in Shane Jones' failed attempt to become leader of the Labour Party.
The New Zealand Herald reports Mr Jones was given $1000 by the husband of a National Party minister.
Education Minister Hekia Parata's husband Sir Wira Gardiner says the donation was intended to encourage Maori leadership, and is not an indication of his political allegiance.
"I'm sure it will raise a few eyebrows, but that's Maoris and parties for you," Mr Jones told the Herald.
"I think Wira has always had peripheral vision and he's always been pro-Maori in all his endeavours. Although that makes him, for a brief period of time, a benefactor, it doesn't mean Hekia is in any way my benefactrix."
Sir Wira had not told his wife about the donation, with Ms Parata only learning of it last night.
Prime Minister John Key told Firstline he will not talk about the issue with Ms Parata, but the news was a surprise.
"In the end as I understand it, Hekia wasn't aware of it… but in any relationship, people are free to do what they like."
Mr Key is not expecting any dissent among the couple, and thinks the issue is minor.
"This is Wira, it's his money, he's had a friendship with Shane Jones, he's supported him. It doesn't mean he wants people to vote for Labour – he's a paid-up member of the National Party – but the basic point here is in amongst a contest of [Mr Jones, David Cunliffe and Grant Robertson], I think he'd rather see a Maori leader. That's the guts of the argument," he says.
"At the end of the day, I'd have better things to do with my $1000 if I was Wira."
NZ Oil and Gas board member Roger Finlay was also revealed to have donated to Mr Jones' failed leadership bid.
3 News
source: newshub archive
