Hawke's Bay councils spent just under $48,000 last year on international travel by mayors, councillors and staff.
More than half the total was spent by Napier City Council on a sister city trip to China by former Mayor Barbara Arnott and four councillors.
Hawke's Bay Today requested details of 2013 ratepayer-funded international travel under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
In April Mrs Arnott was part of a delegation that travelled to Japan and China to further the council's sister city relationships.
Councillors Bill Dalton (now the mayor), Rob Lutter, Tony Jeffrey and Maxine Boag were also on the $25,000 trip, as was economic development manager Ron Massey.