COLIN CRAIG: The Conservative leader poured more than $1.6 million into his own party last year.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig sank more than $1.6 million of his own money into the party last year.

Party donations returns for last year have been released today by the Electoral Commission.

The Conservatives topped the list with $1,623,504.06. Of that $1,618,600 came from the outspoken millionaire businessman.

The funding disclosure comes as Families Commissioner Christine Rankin was last night announced as the party's chairwoman.

ACT's party president and former MP John Boscawen donated $24,000 to his party which also received other donations totalling $52,570.

Labour received a bequest of $430,259.33 from the estate of Brian James Dalley and other donations came to $270,423.93.

It was discovered that Labour broke the rules by not immediately declaring Dalley's bequest, because it was more than $30,000. When the error was discovered it required extra paperwork.

The National Party received $16,849.96 from Wellington's Museum Hotel owner Chris Parkin, philanthropist Graeme Douglas gave $25,000, and Cyril Smith of Fendalton, donated $29,950.

Canned food distributor James Chrisp Ltd donated $17,850, Auckland's Scholar Hotel and Apartments - which offer cheap student accommodation - contributed $24,000, and Roncon Pacific Hotel Management $22,000.

Total donations to National last year were $773,095.07.

The Green Party's own MPs gave $233,487.18 to the party, including $15,555 from David Clendon and $18,345 from Denise Roche.

Green MPs are required to donate a percentage of their income back to the party. Total donations were $251,487.18.

The Maori party received $8295 and Mana $7481, including $306 from overseas.

NZ First got 14 donations totalling just $1031.18 and the returns show Peter Dunne's United Future got nothing.

In 2011, an election year, National declared $2.6 million in donations and Labour $920,538.

Craig announced Rankin's appointment to the Conservatives chair on Twitter and Facebook last night.

In a statement, Rankin said: "My admiration for the party and its leader has continued to grow over the past year or so.

"As a member of the board since last July, I have come to understand the enormous potential we have, and I think it's fair to say that if our political opponents disregard us, it's at their peril."

THE RULES



- A party donation is a donation of money, goods or services.

- Donors who give more than $15,000 must be publicly disclosed

- Parties also have to say how many donations they received in bands of less than $1500, $1500-$5000 and $5000 to $15,000 and the number of overseas party donations not exceeding $1500.

- Parties must also make an immediate disclosure to the Electoral Commission where a donor gives a party more than $30,000 in a 12 month period.

- Party secretaries are required to keep records of all donations received.