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Case number 180794

prosecution

National Party Donations

Criminal charges were filed against four people in relation to donations made to the National Party. This trial was later joined with the Labour Party donations trial.

Case Timeline

  • November 2022Nov 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.
  • October 2022Oct 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.
  • September 2021Sep 2021
    Trial scheduled for 25 July 2022 and has been joined with the Labour Party donations trial.
  • August 2021Aug 2021
    Trial adjourned – new trial date to be confirmed
  • February 2020Feb 2020
    Defendants plead not guilty to charges brought by the SFO in the Auckland District Court on 25 February.
  • January 2020Jan 2020
    SFO files charges against four people on 29 January.
  • March 2019Mar 2019
    The SFO confirms receipt of political donations referral by Police on 12 March.