MP Chris Carter to front up to media

Chris Carter lost his foreign affairs portfolio last week. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Demoted Labour MP Chris Carter is to front up to the media today over his spending while a minister.

A Labour spokesman said a press conference would be held after midday in Wellington.

Mr Carter has spent the past week working in his Te Atatu electorate, after his position within the party was thrown in doubt by his handling of a demotion.

Mr Carter lost his foreign affairs portfolio and was bumped down the Labour Party pecking order last week after failing to front up and apologise over his credit card spending as a minister.

He was also put on stress leave following a torrid time trying to handle the situation and avoid media.

Mr Goff sent Mr Carter home and would not say whether or not Mr Carter would remain at number 13 within the party and with the conservation portfolio he picked up after losing foreign affairs.

Mr Goff also said while he accepted a brief written apology from Mr Carter last week over the spending issue was genuine, he still needed to be convinced Mr Carter's defiant attitude had changed.

"I'm not sure that he understands yet why a genuine apology is needed and that taxpayers in New Zealand have the right to expect their money to be spent frugally and with reserve."

It went without saying that Mr Carter would have to face media on his return and explain his position, he said.

- NZPA