Election costs National twice as much as 2002

The National Party doubled its campaign spending at the last election to more than $2 million, close to its legal limit.

Election expense returns filed with the Electoral Commission reveal National spent $2,128,028 on the September election. It spent $1 million on the 2002 election, when its numbers were whittled down to 27 MPs.

Much of the money went on billboards, considered one of the party's campaign successes, with $620,000 spent on billboard rental alone.

Mail-outs also soaked up more than $600,000.

Only $40,557 went on newspaper advertising and $187,741 was spent on radio and television advertising.

Under election rules, a party contesting the party vote can spend up to $1 million, plus $20,000 for each electorate candidate nominated by the party.

National was entitled to spend $2,240,000.

Returns had to be filed in December, but most have yet to be made public, including the Labour Party's.

A commission spokesman said technical issues were still being resolved with those yet made public, or in some cases the final audit was still being completed.

The commission will analyse the results when a spending report is completed next month.

National admitted before Christmas it had accidentally spent $112,000 more than it should have on broadcasting after a GST misunderstanding with its advertising booking agency.

The commission has lodged a complaint with police and if charges are laid the party could face a maximum fine of $100,000.

A police spokeswoman said yesterday no decision had been made over whether to lay charges.

Other returns already filed show the Green Party spent $575,115, just over a quarter of its entitlement and just under the $611,000 it spent in 2002.

The Maori Party spent just $100,896 on its campaign, well under the $1.8 million it could have spent.

Jim Anderton's Progressives spent $218,634, the Christian Heritage Party spent $19,500 and the Alliance $24,300.

WHAT THEY SPENT

Spending by parties

National $2,128,028
Green Party $575,115
Maori Party $100,896
Progressives $218,634
Christian Heritage Party $19,500
Alliance $24,300
(Figures not yet available for Labour and Act).