KEY POINTS:
Contentious legislation aimed at controlling what can be spent on political electioneering comes into effect today.
Pushed through Parliament by the Labour Government, the Electoral Finance Act puts spending limits of $120,000 on non-political parties and the period of regulation covers almost the whole election year, instead of three months before an election.
The legislation broadens the definition of election advertising, limits political parties to $240,000 in anonymous donations and the amount that can be given anonymously by an individual to $10,000.
It drew criticism as being self-serving for Labour and condemned as confusing and an attack on the freedom of speech.
Thousands throughout the country marched against the legislation and National Party leader John Key has said it would be repealed if National gained power after this year's poll.
Debate over its provisions led to heated exchanges inside Parliament as the Government argued it protected New Zealanders' rights to free and fair elections by regulating advertising and political donations.
