There's just one small problem Kim

Kim Dotcom is planning to stand for Parliament in 2014; Stuff reports:

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom appears poised to run for parliament.  
The German millionaire, who is fighting extradition to the United States where he faces copyright charges, took to Twitter today to acknowledge his plans to enter politics. 
"My embryonic NZ political plans leaked by whistleblower. Still looking for partners. Not ready yet," Dotcom tweeted.
The larger than life entrepreneur has already had a big impact on Kiwi politics.
The 2012 police raid on his mansion exposed illegal spying on Kiwis by the GCSB, and an apology from Prime Minister John Key. 
Dotcom then had a very public showdown with Key at the parliamentary committee on the GCSB bill.
Whether he can find enough support to run in the 2014 election is not yet known. 

Herr Dotcom is going to need more than "enough support" to run for Parliament in 2014, or any time thereafter. He would need a change in electoral law; here's what the Electoral Commission advises:

1.2          Candidate eligibility

To be a candidate you must:

• be enrolled as a voter,
• be a New Zealand citizen, and
• not be disqualified from enrolling.

The main grounds of disqualification for enrolment that could affect eligibility to be a candidate are:

• the person is a New Zealand citizen who is outside New Zealand and has not been in New Zealand within the last three years,
• the person has been sentenced to imprisonment.

There are exceptions to these rules:  for example, in relation to public servants or members of the Defence Force who are on duty outside New Zealand, as well as members of their families.
There are other grounds of disqualification that affect a very small number of people.  For more details see section 80 of the Electoral Act.
Bankruptcy is not a ground for disqualification.
If you were born overseas, you will be asked to provide evidence with your nomination that you are a New Zealand citizen (such as a certificate of citizenship or a copy of your New Zealand passport).

You see Dear Readers, the Large German Gentleman is not a New Zealand citizen. One only has to remember the furore when the law was changed retrospectively after then New Plymouth MP Harry Duynhoven had an issue his New Zealand citizenship some years ago. 

And for as long as Dotcom is facing serious criminal charges in the United States, he is most certainly not going to pass New Zealand's good character test, so he will remain as a New Zealand resident, but not a citizen. He is ineligible to stand for Parliament.

You'd think that the Fairfax journalist who penned this non-story might have known that. What do they teach them at journalism school these days?