"If you want to influence the Government it's a disadvantage being identified as a donor. It's like joining the Business Roundtable, it's the kiss of death. But I just think you shouldn't not do something because of disclosure."
A long-term National supporter, he was asked to help the party by fundraising for them.
"I wasn't very good at fundraising from other people. It's very hard when you're on the richlist to ask other people for money. So I thought it was just easier to give myself."
He said it was a small sum compared to what he gave to charity.
National also got $30,000 from property investor Mark Wyborn and $22,500 from Herne Bay's Adrian Burr. Mr Wyborn and Mr Burr developed vast tracts of land around the Viaduct Harbour and in Newmarket along with Trevor Farmer, Ross Green, and Act Party donor Alan Gibbs.
Other big names in National's return include venture capitalist Grant Baker, former co-owner of vodka company 42 Below whose Business Bakery company invests in companies including Ecoya and Moa beer.
The richlister lineup also includes Earl Hagaman, owner of the Scenic Hotels chain, Bruce Plested, the founder of Mainfreight and Rochelle McLaren, one of Prime Minister John Key's neighbours.
Mrs McLaren donated $15,200 and is the widow of equine pharmaceuticals businessman and thoroughbred breeder Don McLaren who died in November last year.
Terry Pierson, who was appointed as a councillor on the Game Animal Council by the Minister of Conservation last year, donated $16,700.
There were no donations declared from the National Party's own richlisters - Prime Minister John Key and party President Peter Goodfellow.
National's largest donations had already been declared under rules regarding donations of more than $30,000.
They included $49,000 from Chinese businessman Zhao Wu Shen's company Contue Jinwan Enterprises, which bought an 18 per cent share in Kim Dotcom's Mega company last year.
National got $60,000 from the Huljich family and John Banks' private equity firm Christopher and Banks, and $55,100 from Barry Colman, the founder of the NBR magazine which compiles the richlist.
It also received $50,400 from health product manufacturer Alpha Laboratories.
National also received a bequest of about $520,000 from the estate of Cyril Smith, who had donated to the party in the past.
The boost in donations could be because of Labour's campaign on a capital gains tax for property investors or a response to concerns about the impact of Kim Dotcom's party and Dirty Politics revelations. Kim Dotcom put in a total of $3.5 million for the Internet Party and joint Internet-Mana venture.
National's richlisters
Donors' worth as estimated in the NBR 2014 Richlist and donation amounts:
1. Grant Baker, venture capitalist (worth $90 million*): $19,220
2. Mark Wyborn, property investor ($320 million); $30,000
3. Garth Barfoot, real estate (family worth $145 million): $20,000
4. Adrian Burr, property investor (worth $350 million): $22,500
5. Christopher and Banks, Huljich family (worth $125 million): $60,000
6. Earl Hagaman, hotelier ($180 million): $101,000
7. Rochelle McLaren, racehorses and equine pharmaceuticals ($150 million): $15,200
8. Bruce Plested, Mainfreight founder, ($270 million): $45,000
9. Barry Colman, NBR founder ($145 million): $55,000
Other donations: Alpha Laboratories ($50,400), Contue Jinwan Enterprise ($49,000), Harbour 5 Ltd ($40,000), Terry Pierson ($16,700), Porter Hire ($17,500), Resene Paints ($25,000), Estate of Cyril Smith ($518,000).
