Electoral Commission investigating Harry Mowbray's Split Your Vote website

The Electoral Commission is investigating the Split Your Vote website, which was created by entrepreneur Harry Mowbray, according to RNZ.

The commission said it was looking into the "advertising" and whether it was "authorised". It said it would not comment further at this stage.

The website, splityourvote.co.nz, encouraged voters who wanted a centre-right government to give their party vote to ACT or New Zealand First. A party vote is the vote cast for a party, as opposed to the electorate vote cast for a local candidate. Mowbray's site suggested voters support the local National MP or candidate with their electorate vote, and give their party vote to one of the two smaller parties.

The campaign also urged National supporters not to give National their party vote, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Mowbray confirmed to Stuff that the commission is investigating him over the campaign. He said the inquiry concerns possible breaches relating to election advertisements.

The website is no longer online. The Herald reported that it was taken down after the Electoral Commission's investigation.