Wellington: Allegations the leader of New Zealand's largest political party tried to hide a donation from a businessman with Chinese Communist Party links have reignited concerns about foreign political influence in the country.

'Centre-right National Party member Jami-Lee Ross dramatically quit this week and laid a complaint with police alleging his former boss and the leader of the opposition, Simon Bridges, asked for a NZ$100,000 ($92,000) political donation to be divided up to avoid revealing its origin.

New Zealand Opposition Leader Simon Bridges speaks to reporters this week. Credit:AP

Bridges firmly denies any wrongdoing and says that, while he had dinner with Chinese businessman and community leader Zhang Yikun and discussed donations, the money received was from a number of individuals.

A secret recording of Bridges discussing donations included him talking about potential new candidates for his party, including a business partner of Zhang's, and saying "two Chinese would be nice".