Prime Minister John Key has accused Mana leader Hone Harawira of taking a taxpayer-funded junket to South Africa after it appeared Mr Harawira did not attend Nelson Mandela's funeral.
Mr Harawira travelled to South Africa separately from New Zealand's official delegation last week because he felt anti-apartheid protesters needed to be represented at the official memorial for the former South African leader.
He received approval from the Speaker's office to use his Leader's budget to pay for the trip.
Mr Key said this morning that Mr Harawira had gone to the country "on a jolly" and he should not have billed the taxpayer for it.
He said the delegation represented "the right mix" of New Zealanders and he did not feel there was a role for Mr Harawira to go to South Africa.