The Spencer Trust was forced to open its books by the Serious Fraud Office, and gave the public a tiny peek too.
Sir Robert Jones' question of whether a $25,000 donation to the trust actually made it to Winston Peters' New Zealand First Party had gone unanswered forsix weeks.
The record released publicly showed the Spencer Trust doing its duty - but revealed the New Zealand First party had failed its part by not declaring the donation as required by electoral law.
The trust was set up in August 2005 and Sir Robert's donation on the 18th of that month was its first deposit.
Mr Peters' brother Wayne Peters and fellow Whangarei lawyer Grant Currie were revealed as two of the trustees, with the third wishing to remain anonymous. It is thought to be Roger McClay, Mr Peters' adviser at the time who was present when the cheque was solicited from Sir Robert.
The trust is based at the Thomson Wilson law firm, where Wayne Peters worked for 22 years until last year and Mr Currie is still a partner.
Mr Currie said the trust did not have a separate bank account but used the firm's solicitors account.
He said New Zealand First was the only beneficiary of the trust, which was set up to receive donations from supporters and was completely lawful just like the trusts used by other parties.
The records showed Sir Robert's donation and another $25,000 donation whose name was blacked out being promptly paid to New Zealand First on September 7. Another $10,000 had come in from another blacked-out donor that day.
Mr Currie said he could not confirm or deny whether the Spencer Trust received any donations from the Vela brothers. Mr Currie said the undeclared donation was a matter for New Zealand First, not the Spencer Trust.
