political donations
Only major corporations are allowed to buy politicians, can't have just any run of the mill millionaire doing it.
As the court cases grind on over Kim Dotcom’s possible extradition and his efforts to regain his computers, New Zealand is now agog at his political donations. Apparently, when the flamboyant wide boy of the downloading business backed his money truck up to the ACT Party (it stands for the Association of Consumers and …
That's just... that's just...
Oh wait, that's how its supposed to work. You have to gain a stake in the country and contribute something of value before they let you stay. Much like many other countries.
And funding fireworks! Oh, the horror! Its a good job that doesn't happen in the US, I mean, if Macy's were to sponsor a parade or something, that would just be outrageous. Corruption through and through!
I think the final straw is the discounted hotel room. Is there no end to this man's evil?
Cue influx of cash from the US to help "harmonise" NZ's legal situation.
The Donations were for when Banks ran for Mayor of Auckland which was before he joined the ACT party. So most of your references to ACT are misplaced sorry.
Brief history of his history:
National Party MP 1981-1999
Mayor of Auckland 2001-2004, and 2007-2010
Ran for Auckland's new super city Mayor in 2010 (donations for this) but lost
Joined Act and elected as an ACT MP 2011-Now
The 'invest and stay' thing has been in place for some years. It was first put in place to lure nervous Hong Kong Chinese during the handover to China. Many of whom have apparently gone back to China after things have not gone pear shaped (for the rich, anyway). If you have a spare NZD10m you too can gain permanent residency status. Citizenship however has different criteria. But Dotcom did not preferential treatment unavailable to any passing millionaire. I understand for eg that Shania Twain who bought a property near Wanaka got in by that route.