Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling for a Citizens’ Assembly to lead sweeping reforms of New Zealand’s electoral finance laws, arguing that a surge in political donations from wealthy individuals and corporate interests poses a growing threat to the country’s democratic institutions.
The environmental organisation says the current system has left political parties increasingly reliant on large donations, creating a perception that those with the deepest pockets enjoy greater access to decision-makers than ordinary New Zealanders.
Greenpeace Executive Director Russel Norman says the issue has become too important to be left solely in the hands of politicians, who themselves benefit from the current rules governing political fundraising.
Instead, Greenpeace wants Parliament to establish an independent Citizens’ Assembly made up of people selected to broadly reflect New Zealand society. The group would be tasked with examining electoral finance laws, hearing evidence from experts and the public, and making recommendations on how political donations and election spending should be regulated.
The organisation argues political donations have risen dramatically over recent election cycles. According to Electoral Commission records cited by Greenpeace, political parties received around $25 million in donations during 2024 and 2025, compared with approximately $11 million during the equivalent period of the previous electoral cycle and about $5 million in the cycle before that. Greenpeace says millions more have already been declared during 2026.
Greenpeace contends that many major donors have commercial interests in sectors directly affected by government policy, including resource development, agriculture and energy. It argues this creates a risk that political decision-making may be influenced, or be perceived to be influenced, by those able to make substantial financial contributions.
Among the reforms proposed by Greenpeace are a ban on corporate political donations, a cap on individual donations, real-time disclosure of all political contributions, stronger regulation of lobbying activity and the creation of an independent anti-corruption commission. The organisation also supports increased public funding of political parties to reduce reliance on private donors.
A Citizens’ Assembly, Greenpeace says, offers a way to address what it sees as an inherent conflict of interest, with political parties currently responsible for writing the rules that govern their own fundraising and election financing. Similar assemblies have been used internationally to consider complex constitutional and social issues, including electoral reform and abortion law.
The proposal comes as questions around political funding and democratic accountability continue to feature in New Zealand’s election campaign. Debates over transparency, lobbying, foreign influence and the role of money in politics have become increasingly prominent as parties prepare for the November General Election.
For Māori, the discussion also intersects with wider questions of democratic representation and participation. Māori organisations have long argued that electoral systems and political institutions should better reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthen community participation and ensure decision-making processes are accessible to all New Zealanders.
Supporters of Citizens’ Assemblies argue they can provide more considered, less partisan recommendations than traditional parliamentary processes, particularly on issues where political parties may have competing interests.
Critics, however, may argue that elected Members of Parliament already hold the democratic mandate to legislate and that significant changes to electoral law should remain the responsibility of Parliament.
Greenpeace says the integrity of New Zealand’s democracy depends on public confidence that political decisions are made in the public interest rather than being shaped by the influence of major donors. It is urging all political parties contesting the 2026 election to commit to an independent Citizens’ Assembly on electoral finance reform if elected.
As campaigning intensifies, the debate over who funds political parties—and how those relationships should be regulated—is likely to become an increasingly significant issue for voters considering the future of New Zealand’s democracy.
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