Koha donations revealed by Auckland mayoral candidate

An Auckland mayoral candidate has opened her campaign books to show she has raised $5.30 in koha and selling T-shirts for $50 each.

Transparency is a big deal for Chloe Swarbrick, who is promising daily updates of campaign fundraising and spending.

So far, the 22-year-old journalist has raised $2243.30, including $950 from T-shirt sales, $510 in donations, $5.30 from koha at public meetings and $778 from her own pocket.

Personally I believe transparency is a core component of accountability

Chloe Swarbrick

Her campaign spending of $1130.53 includes a $200 enrolment fee, $352.53 producing T-shirts, $200 on graphics, town hall booking costing $226.94 and $151.06 on Facebook advertisements.

"It's been reported that my campaign to be Auckland's mayor has no money behind it. By and large, that true. Others have half a million to spend on their campaigns. I do not.

"Personally I believe transparency is a core component of accountability and something I would bring to the table as the mayor of Auckland," Swarbrick said.

Swarbrick is believed to be the youngest of 19 contenders seeking the Auckland mayoralty.

The born and raised Aucklander stumbled into local politics after learning about a steep decline in voter turnout and being among a generation struggling to buy a house.

A spokeswoman for Labour MP and mayoral candidate Phil Goff said he was running a well-supported and professional campaign.

"There is no full total tally yet as there are still ongoing incomings and outgoings but it will be well below the statutory spending limit. He will be disclosing campaign donations and expenditure before the deadline as required by the legislation," the spokeswoman said.

Centre-right mayoral candidate Vic Crone, who has the backing of senior National Party figures and a considerable campaign budget, said there was a good level of transparency around donations and spends that would be released in the post-election returns.

The spending limit for mayoral candidates is about $620,000.