That's the only way to describe today's exposure by RNZ that over $1 million in political donations is linked to fast-track applicants. But it gets worse:
More than $1 million in political donations linked to fast-tracked projects have been made since 2022.As the latter makes clear, these companies are basically buying themselves an outcome. Thanks to Shane Jones and Chris Bishop, resource consents and the pillage of conservation land are effectively for sale in New Zealand. And the governing parties are profiting from it.An RNZ analysis of the latest donation data reveals $400,000 was donated to National and NZ First in 2025 from people or entities linked to fast-track projects. Labour received $8620.
The introduction of the fast-track approvals process was part of NZ First's coalition deal with National. Since 2022 almost 90 percent of donations from people or entities also linked to projects have gone to the two parties.
Since the act came into effect in 2024, a total of 23 fast-track projects have been approved. Of these, seven are linked to people or organisations that have made a political donation.
Which is why the next government will have to not just repeal fast-track, but also force all decisions to be reconsidered under the normal process, according to normal rules. Otherwise there can be no faith that decisions are not being bought. But beyond that, we clearly need a ban on large political donations, and an Independent Commission Against Corruption to perpetually investigate donors, parties, MPs, and ministers, and prosecute them for any wrongdoing. That os the only way public faith in the state can be restored.
