Top’s 2023 donations only included two above $5000. It’s understood Mills’ donation is the largest the party has received since at least 2017.
Late last year, Auckland businesswoman Qiulae Wong was announced as the party’s leader. The 37-year-old will be the party’s fifth leader since it was founded by economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan in 2016.
Former Labour minister Iain Lees-Galloway now works for Top. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Top general manager Iain Lees-Galloway, a former Labour minister who officially took on the general manager role this week, told the Herald the party had engaged people who knew Mills well to encourage him to consider supporting Top.
He understood Mills and Wong had met once previously.
Galloway said he was pleased the party had been supported by someone who sought economic reform and climate change action.
He would not speculate on why Mills had donated to Top in light of previous donations to Labour and the Greens.
Galloway emphasised the bulk of donations were small and regular, claiming the party had received an uptick after Wong’s leadership was announced.
Wong was expected to give a State of the Nation address in Auckland in the next month.
The Herald has sought comment from Mills regarding the donation.
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.