Harawira still top spender

Hone Harawira racked up $45,124 in accommodation and travel bills in the past three months. Photo / NZPA

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has held on to his title as the biggest-spending MP apart from the Cabinet despite being one of the least-sighted politicians in Parliament.

Te Tai Tokerau's representative spent more than any other non-ministerial MP for the second quarter running, according to expense details published by Internal Affairs.

Mr Harawira racked up $45,124 in accommodation and travel bills in the past three months, including $23,881 on flights - nearly twice as much as the Leader of the Opposition, David Shearer.

He has made only intermittent appearances in the House, asking just two primary questions at Question Time this year, and making seven speeches in seven months.

Mr Harawira was also the highest-spending non-minister in the previous quarter, racking up $31,800 in costs.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, who has been criticised in the past for his spending of taxpayers' money, spent more than any other minister except Prime Minister John Key. He was previously criticised for spending $78,000 in three months on Crown limousines, flights and accommodation.

After pegging back his bills in the last quarter, Dr Sharples' expenses jumped again to more than $70,000.

New Zealand First's Winston Peters was the most frugal party leader, spending $19,711, and National MP Paul Goldsmith spent less than any other politician. Trade Minister Tim Groser's huge travel bills dropped after he missed out on his bid to be Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

He had clocked up $250,000 at the beginning of the year while lobbying for the job, but those costs fell to $168,000 after he failed to be nominated. His massive travel costs were approved by the Cabinet because they were incurred to promote NZ's trade and climate change interests.

Ministers used their parliamentary credit cards sparingly in the last quarter. On a trip to London to attend Margaret Thatcher's funeral in April, Cabinet minister Gerry Brownlee shunned Savile Row and instead hired a suit from low-end clothing chain Moss Bros. It cost him $146.

Housing Minister Nick Smith bought the most expensive bottle of wine on his parliamentary credit card while dining with a Housing New Zealand executive, but then coughed up for the purchase.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman ensured he would stay sunburn- and pest-free on a trip to Tonga in May, purchasing $70 worth of high-strength sunscreen and insect repellent.