Summarised by Centrist
Political commentator Bryce Edwards writes that sympathy should be extended to Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who is taking time off MP duties to recover from kidney disease.
However, this does not exempt her from ongoing scrutiny regarding her political donations and alleged improper electioneering that secured her parliamentary seat last year.
A recent TVNZ Q+A broadcast revealed that Kemp used a van provided by Manurewa Marae for her campaign without declaring it as a donation. The use of this van, used extensively during her campaign, is estimated to have been worth around $6000, yet it was not listed in Kemp’s $48,513 in declared donations. According to Edwards, candidates must disclose gifts and financial campaign donations valued over $1500.
Previously, reports indicated the Marae’s van was utilised for Kemp’s electioneering, raising questions about a registered charity’s involvement in political campaigns.
Charities with tax-exempt status are prohibited from assisting political parties. The Department of Internal Affairs stated that “registered charities must not support or oppose particular parties or candidates.”
Electoral law expert Andrew Geddis noted that potential breaches are of both the Charities Act and the Electoral Act.
Kemp was the chief executive of Manurewa Marae at the time. She has refrained from commenting on the allegations.
