Morals were the reason behind the sudden resignation of NZ First president Lester Gray:
New Zealand First party president Lester Gray has quit the party, citing his refusal to sign off financial reports for ‘moral’ reasons.
A resignation letter reveals Gray took his stand against signing the party’s 2019 reports with a claim he has been kept in the dark over party expenditure and donations, leaving him unable to put his name to them with confidence. . .
In Gray’s resignation letter, obtained by Stuff, he raises issues around communication with senior party officials and uncertainty over financial dealings.
“I refuse to sign off the 2019 Financial Reports with the information I have been provided,” he wrote.
“As President, the limited exposure I have had to Party donations and expenditure leaves me in a vulnerable position.
“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 also stated there was “insufficient communication and support from senior members of the Party for me to effectively function as the President“. . .
Is anyone surprised?
A friend with shares in a race horse received a letter before the last election seeking a contribution towards a generous donation to New Zealand First.
Was any donation like this, or from fishing and forestry interests which benefit from its policies, declared? No, and time after time, this party is the only one in parliament that never declares any sizable donations.
It isn’t so much a party as a principality presided over by Winston Peters whose word is law.
NZ First presents an ongoing risk to our reputation for openness, transparency and, relatively, low rates of corruption.
It is a carbuncle on the hide of democracy. Dare we hope that this news might prompt someone to lance it?
Homepaddock 
Reblogged this on The Inquiring Mind and commented:
Maybe at last the truth about NZ First will come out for all to see
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