By Laura McQuillan
New Zealand First is promising to pay a Victoria University student who says it used her design on its election hoardings without permission.
Rachel Brandon designed a New Zealand First billboard as part of a politics class, and uploaded it to the university's intranet, where it could only be seen by classmates and her lecturer.
The black and white design features an image of party leader Winston Peters, the words "Party Vote NZ First", and a tick icon.
Ms Brandon was later contacted by classmate Josh Van Veen, campaign manager for the party's Wellington Central candidate Ben Craven, asking if New Zealand First could pay her to use the design.
After quoting $250 for its use more than a month ago, Ms Brandon was told Mr Peters would be consulted, but she never heard back.
Family and friends later spotted a similar billboard erected around the country.
In a post on Facebook on Tuesday, Ms Brandon said it was "an extremely disrespectful move" by New Zealand First to "blatantly rip off the design".
She had since been contacted by Mr Van Veen and Mr Craven, who both said she would be paid.
Ms Brandon told NZ Newswire she sent the party an invoice on Wednesday morning.
Mr Peters told NZ Newswire the party had been busy chasing the photographer to buy the rights to the photo on the billboard, and that had only been resolved in the past fortnight.
New Zealand First had paid about $800 for its use.
In comparison, Ms Brandon's $250 quote was small change, he said.
He said the party was still waiting for Ms Brandon's invoice, but she would be paid once that was received.
"We don't do cash deals. We're more than happy to pay - it's not in any way a significant sum, but we've got to have an account, otherwise [the accountant] will not pay it."
NZN