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  "description": "10 News Stories They Chose Not to Tell You",
  "path": "/your-daily-ten-10-2026-044/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-12T21:00:17.000Z",
  "site": "https://goodoil.news",
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  "textContent": "**This is edition 2026/044 of the _Ten@10_ newsletter.**\n\nHi all,\n\nThis is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.\n\nEnjoy!\n\n* * *\n\n## 1. Big money flowing into the political parties in 2026\n\nBryce Edwards\n\n  * 💰 **Coalition fundraising surge:** In early 2026, New Zealand’s governing coalition parties have raised about **$750,000 in large donations** , compared with roughly **$65,000 for Labour and the Greens** , giving the political right a **ten-to-one financial advantage** early in the election year.\n  * 🧾 **Limited transparency:** Donations above **$20,000 must be disclosed** , but this register reveals only part of the picture—many sizable donations remain hidden until annual returns are released, meaning the public sees only a fraction of the money influencing politics.\n  * 🛢️ **Oil and gas-linked donation controversy:** **GMP Environmental Limited** , a subsidiary of **Greymouth Petroleum** , donated **$100,000 each to National, ACT, and NZ First** shortly after the government weakened oil-industry decommissioning liability laws—raising concerns about the appearance of influence.\n  * ⚖️ **Trust and perception problems:** Even without proof of a quid pro quo, the sequence—industry lobbying, legislative change, then large donations—creates **public suspicion that policy outcomes can be rewarded with political funding**.\n  * 💻 **Major donor Brian Cartmell:** Queenstown tech entrepreneur **Brian Cartmell** has distributed **at least $500,000 across several parties** , including **$100,000 to the Opportunity Party** and large sums to coalition parties, reflecting a strategy of supporting multiple political options.\n  * 🏗️ **Developer hedging strategy:** Auckland construction businessman **Michael Grant Sullivan** donated **$200,000 across the coalition parties** , effectively backing all governing partners—seen as a strategic investment in relationships with policymakers affecting property development and planning.\n  * 🟦 **ACT’s fundraising dominance:** **ACT** leads the donation race with **$350,000 in large contributions** , including money from **Zuru co-founder Nicholas Mowbray** and the **Van Den Brink poultry business** , highlighting strong support from wealthy business figures.\n  * 📉 **Weak fundraising on the left:** **Labour and the Greens have attracted very little external money** , with Labour’s only declared donation coming from a deceased supporter’s estate and the Greens’ main declared contribution coming from one of their own MPs.\n  * 🌱 **Opportunity Party gaining traction:** The **Opportunity Party (TOP)** has raised **$150,000 in large donations** , including funding from both Cartmell and **Les Mills founder Phillip Mills** , suggesting growing interest from donors dissatisfied with major parties.\n  * 🧠 **Systemic concern for democracy:** The overall pattern shows **wealthy individuals and corporate interests heavily financing parties aligned with their policy preferences** , raising concerns that financial imbalance could distort political influence and public trust in New Zealand’s democratic system.\n\n\n\nRead More\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Your Daily Ten@10 - 2026/044",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-12T21:00:18.084Z"
}