Political campaigns are expensive. In New Zealand, there’s a cap on how much parties can spend on campaign advertisements in the three months before the election, but there is no cap on how much parties can spend on ads the rest of the time.

There is also no limit on how much parties can spend, at any time, on polling, travel, focus groups, policy development, consultancy fees and all the other stuff that helps you win elections.

So, where exactly does all that money come from?

Directed, filmed and edited by Faith Cruz.
Written and presented by Robbie Nicol.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.