Saturday, 20 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand|Politics

NZ First president resigned refusing to sign financial reports

3 Oct, 2019 05:41 AM3 minutes to read
Lester Gray suddenly stepped down after less than a year in the role. Photo / Facebook

Lester Gray suddenly stepped down after less than a year in the role. Photo / Facebook

NZ Herald

New Zealand First's president says he resigned citing a refusal to sign off financial reports on moral grounds.

Lester Gray has confirmed reports his resignation letter to the party said he was unwilling to sign the party's 2019 financial documents because he was given a lack of information about donations and expenses.

Sources within the party who have seen the letter confirmed it raised the concerns.

Gray announced he was stepping down and leaving the party under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday, after less than a year on the job, and after two weeks of medical leave.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

READ MORE:
• NZ First president Lester Gray quits role - and leaves the party altogether
• NZ First halts festival drug-testing policy proposed by Labour
• NZ First blindsides Andrew Little with talk of abortion referendum
• NZ First Leader Winston Peters: National's plan to raise the retirement age bad news

He has confirmed reports he refused to sign the party's 2019 financial reports with the information he had been provided.

"As president, the limited exposure I have had to party donations and expenditure leaves me in a vulnerable position," the letter reads, according to Stuff.

"This type of operation does not align with my moral and business practice values, and I am therefore not able to support the party any longer."

Gray refused to comment further on the matter but confirmed the report.

"I'm just trying to slip out of the party quietly and get on with my life," he said.

Related articles

New Zealand|Politics

Claire Trevett: Shane Jones and why Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won't tell him off

02 Oct 04:00 PM
New Zealand|Politics

Bombshell NZ First leak: Internal papers reveal party discontent

04 Oct 01:08 AM
New Zealand|Politics

NZ First leak: Members felt 'exploited' over donations

06 Oct 12:00 AM
New Zealand|Politics

New NZ First leaks: Complaint over candidate selection, request for apology

08 Oct 01:06 AM

He earlier announced on social media he was resigning from the role of president and leaving the party, but did not give a reason for his departure.

"I will always treasure the wonderful people I have met and the friendships we have started," he said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Comment has been requested from the office of NZ First leader Winston Peters, currently travelling overseas, and a number of other party members.

The resignation comes two weeks ahead of the party's annual conference.

Clutha Southland New Zealand First board member Jude Patterson – the wife of NZ First MP Mark Patterson – has been appointed acting president until a replacement is elected at the conference. Two party members have put their hands up for the job.

Patterson earlier described the departure as a shock but said she could not comment on further on the matter.

"We can't discuss our members' health issues. We have to respect Mr Gray's privacy," she said.

A New Zealand First spokesperson said: "NZF respects the decision Mr Gray has made, thanks him for his valuable contribution, and wishes him well for the future."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Roads closed, parking restricted as Parliament protest looms

19 Aug 09:43 AM
New Zealand

One person dead in crash involving pedestrian

19 Aug 07:10 AM
New Zealand|Politics

Ombudsman sends PM 'please explain' over Sharma allegations

19 Aug 07:04 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Kawhia shooting: Mum haunted by frightening escape into darkness with children

19 Aug 04:04 AM
New Zealand

Young candidate hopes to lead Nelson Council

19 Aug 05:59 AM

Most Popular

Ombudsman sends PM 'please explain' over Sharma allegations
New Zealand|Politics

Ombudsman sends PM 'please explain' over Sharma allegations

19 Aug 07:04 AM
Kawhia shooting: Mum haunted by frightening escape into darkness with children
New Zealand|Crime

Kawhia shooting: Mum haunted by frightening escape into darkness with children

19 Aug 04:04 AM
Premium
Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price
Business

Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price

19 Aug 05:32 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP