New Zealand First's received hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans from high-ranking members of the party

Electoral Commission returns show last year, members loaned the party more than 250-thousand dollars.

Documents show Shane Jones' wife, and party board member, Dorothy Jones lent the party 180-thousand dollars late last year.

MP Mark Patterson and his wife -- and former party president -- Jude Patterson also loaned 75-thousand dollars to the party.

A loan to the party's not uncommon: In 2020 and 2021, leader Winston Peters loaned the party collectively 360-thousand dollars.

A spokesperson for New Zealand First says the loans helped pay for the election campaign which, for a party outside of Parliament, is expensive -- and it's not new for party members to provide financial support.