National gets $50k donation from Oravida founder

The National Party has received another $50,000 from the head of milk exporter Oravida, which was once caught up in a conflict of interest claim.

Oravida's founder Deyi (Stone) Shi made the donation earlier this month.

Mr Shi's company, which also exports wine, seafood, freshwater and meat to China, has close ties to National. Former National Prime Minister Jenny Shipley is the chairwoman and director David Wong-Tung is the husband of Revenue Minister Judith Collins.

Ms Collins came under pressure over her links to Oravida in 2014 after she met with Mr Shi and a Chinese border official while on a ministerial visit to China, weeks after Oravida had lobbied the Government about difficulties in getting its products into China.

Oravida has previously given $30,000 to National, and Mr Shi once donated $55,000 in a charity auction to play golf with former Prime Minister John Key.

Mr Shi is also the owner of Ardmore airport and bought former Hanover director Mark Hotchin's Paritai Drive mansion for $39 million in 2013.

Any donations of more than $30,000 must be declared to the Electoral Commission within 10 days.

The Act Party also recently declared $106,200 in donations from longtime backer Dame Jenny Gibbs.

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