The National Party received more than $100,000 more than the next biggest recipient.

Labour is charging wealthy business figures $1500-a-head to lunch with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at its annual conference later this month.

The event mirrors the 'cash-for-access' Cabinet Club scandal which engulfed the National government in 2014.

Labour, the Greens and NZ First slammed National for selling democracy when the party encouraged supporters to give donations of up to $10,000 in order to rub shoulders with senior ministers.

Although the fundraisers don't break any rules, critics argue it gives corporate movers and shakers and lobbyists access that is not available to the public.

READ MORE:

* Does Cabinet Club buy influence?

* Labour hosts business and lobbyists at $600-a-head dinners in exclusive private clubs

* Winston Peters charging $350-a- head for dinner with him at Russell McVeagh

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rarely attends party fundraisers.

On the weekend beginning November 29th, around 800 delegates will gather at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre, for the convention.

Also on the guest list are a select number of business guests, who will spend the day at a business conference and lunch with Ardern.

Eight MPs will give presentations and all MPs are invited. Stuff understands Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi are expected to attend.

CAMERON BURNELL/STUFF Kirk Hope, chief executive of Business NZ, is a guest speaker at Labour's conference.

Kirk Hope, the head of advocacy group Business NZ will also give a speech.

As the party moves into election year, it is looking to boost its campaign war chest. Faced with a slump in business confidence, the Government is also keen to schmooze the corporate world.

But a party source pointed out Ardern has attended only a handful of fundraisers since she was elected in 2017. Between 2008 and May 2014, then Prime Minister Sir John Key took part in 53 Cabinet Clubs with big-dollar backers.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have also been invited to attend the one-day conference, at no cost. Journalists and diplomats are also regular attendees at the weekend-long convention.

Henry Cooke Business leaders are expecting to see Education Minister Chris Hipkins.

Labour Party General Secretary Andre Anderson said: "It's important the party is listening and talking to business. It's a chance to listen to and share ideas with business leaders.

"We have invited a number of NGOs to attend as well for free to contribute their perspective.

"The Prime Minister will only be attending during the lunch break in her capacity as Labour leader."

That's an important distinction as the Cabinet manual states: "holding ministerial office is regarded as a full-time occupation and is remunerated as such. Accordingly ... accepting additional payment for doing anything that could be regarded as a ministerial function is not permissible".

So if Ardern was attending in her prime ministerial capacity, Labour would be barred from using it to fundraise.

Anderson said numbers for the business conference are yet to be finalised.

Asked about comparisons with Cabinet Clubs, he said: "People paid a subscription fee for Cabinet Club which gave them access to ministers over the course of a year. National branches organised hundreds of Cabinet Club events during their nine years in office...A one-off business conference bears no comparison.

"The event is completely within the rules. MPs interact with business and NGOs all the time as part of their job."

Last year, Finance Minister Grant Robertson came under fire for giving a post-Budget speech at a $600 dinner hosted at an exclusive city club.

And Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who called Cabinet Clubs "elitist", charged $350 to have dinner with him at the offices of a top law firm.

National leader Simon Bridges has said his party dumped Cabinet Club events in the wake of the scandal.