National Party leader John Key plans to give away part of his salary as prime minister if his party wins this year's general election.
Mr Key, a multi-millionaire named in this year's Rich List as worth $50 million, told the Sunday News he already donated money from the $224,500 a year he earned as opposition leader.
"I will continue that practice should I become prime minister," he said. The prime minister's salary is $361,000.
Mr Key would not disclose how much he gave or to what charities.
ACT Party leader Rodney Hide praised Mr Key. "New Zealanders are generous people ... and John Key is a good example of that." Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons said Key was one of many MPs who donated a percentage of their government salary to charity.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said he believed the move was a politically motivated.
