prosecution | Case number: 180794

National Party Donations

Criminal charges were filed against Yikun Zhang, Colin Zheng, Joe Zheng and Jami-Lee Ross in relation to donations made to the National Party. This trial was later joined with the Labour Party donations trial.

Case Timeline

• Nov 2023

  Court of Appeal quashes obtaining by deception convictions for Yikun Zhang, Shija (Colin) Zheng and Henjia (Joe) Zheng. Joe Zheng's conviction for obstructing an investigation is upheld.

• Nov 2022

  Yikun Zhang sentenced to four months’ community detention and 200 hours of community work. Shijia (Colin) Zheng sentenced to five months’ community detention and 250 hours’ community work. Henjia (Joe) Zheng sentenced to three months’ community detention and 150 hours’ community work.
  
  All three defendants have appealed their sentence and conviction.

• Oct 2022

  Following the joint Labour and National Party donations trial, a mix of verdicts was returned:
  
  Yikun Zhang was found guilty in relation to a 2018 donation of $100,050 to the National Party. He was found not guilty in relation to a 2017 donation of $100,000 to the party.
  Colin Zheng was found guilty in relation to both donations.
  Joe Zheng was found guilty in relation to the 2018 donation as well as guilty of obstructing the SFO investigation by providing false or misleading information.
  Jami-Lee Ross was found not guilty on all charges.
  
  Mr Zhang, Mr Zheng, Mr Zheng and three others with name suppression were found not guilty on charges related to a donation to the Labour Party in 2017.

• Sep 2021

  Trial scheduled for 25 July 2022 and has been joined with the Labour Party donations trial.

• Aug 2021

  Trial adjourned – new trial date to be confirmed

• Feb 2020

  Defendants plead not guilty to charges brought by the SFO in the Auckland District Court on 25 February.

• Jan 2020

  SFO files charges against four people on 29 January.

• Mar 2019

  The SFO confirms receipt of political donations referral by Police on 12 March.