Editorial: MPs should be wary when offered gifts

The issue of politicians and the gifts they receive is a difficult one.
MPs must declare any gifts worth more than $500 they receive and this pecuniary register is made public annually.
This year's list reveals Tauranga MP Simon Bridges was gifted two premier golf club memberships worth more than $1000 each last year.
One was from Mount Maunganui Golf Club, the other from Tauranga.
In a strange twist, Mr Bridges accepted the gifts but, apart from one time, has not used these memberships, saying he has been too busy. Mr Bridges was also given a gold pass to the 2010 Tauranga Air Show.
This issue is not black and white.
It is entirely appropriate for MPs to give and receive gifts from other politicians and officials while travelling or hosting. For example, it would be rude to refuse a gift from a visiting prime minister.
In the case of Mr Bridges, he has unofficially gifted other international dignitaries items such as parliamentary ties for men and paua brooches for women, which he paid for himself. No one can argue with that.
It could be argued that it is also acceptable for MPs to receive gifts such as travel if it is related to official business and is in the best interests of Parliament and the public.
Fact-finding trips are also an example.
But golf memberships?
MPs have a pretty good package as it is.
They were given a 1.4 per cent pay rise in December, backdated to July. This took a backbencher's salary, paid by taxpayers, to a basic $134,800. The prime minister earns $400,500.
Politicians also have allowances for costs such as entertainment up to about $15,000 a year, plus an extra $2000 a year each to offset reduced use of the travel discount, which is considered to be part of their income.
And while New Zealand workers will have to fork out more for savings under new KiwiSaver plans, MPs' superannuation schemes are to be left untouched.
It is interesting to note not all MPs have declared gifts. Bay of Plenty MP and Health Minister Tony Ryall does not have any listed on the publicly available pecuniary register.
The job of an MP is more than fulltime and it can be argued that whatever they do and wherever they go they are essentially on the job.
Their job is to represent the people and help govern the country. Gifts from organisations such as golf clubs muddy the waters.
Mr Bridges would have been better off to politely decline these offers. Surely the golf clubs would understand.
The same applies to Mr Key, who also received an annual subscription to Remuera Golf Club worth more than $3000.
By accepting these types of gifts, could MPs be leaving themselves open to a conflict of interest down the track?