MPs spent $2 million in last 3 months

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully. Photo / Paul Estcourt

MPs spent about $2 million on travel and accommodation in the past three months, while ministers matched that and raised it a bit more.

The ACT Party has two ministers in its ranks; Rodney Hide and Heather Roy. They spent $67,614 on domestic travel and accommodation and $5429 internationally.

The Maori Party's ministers, Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples, spent $109,177 (domestic) and $45,791 (international).

Another support partner, United Future's Peter Dunne, spent $22,096 with no international travel.

National ministers spent $1,006,809 on domestic travel and accommodation and $1,006,351 on international trips.

Within that, Prime Minister John Key spent $80,972 (domestic) and $207,163 (international), while his deputy Bill English didn't go overseas and spent $54,046 at home.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully spent $44,773 and $117,831 while Trade Minister Tim Groser's bill was $28,363 and $212,987.

Other ministers with relatively large bills were:

* Judith Collins $64,821 and $23,274;

* David Carter $52,457 and $22,018;

* Georgina te Heuheu $63,597 and $34,689; and

* Kate Wilkinson $54,655 and $5464.

MPs' expenses were also released.

The only ACT MPs to break $20k were John Boscawen with $26,783, and David Garrett $21,793. The total bill for ACT's five MPs was $69,340.

The Green Party, which has nine MPs, spent $152,959. Of those Catherine Delahunty, Kevin Hague and Metiria Turei all spent more than $20,000.

Seventeen Labour MPs spent more than $20,000 including leader Phil Goff $67,964, Shane Jones $27,590 and Steve Chadwick $28,558. Chris Carter spent $25,760 and Ross Robertson $27,553.

The Maori Party's Hone Harawira spent $47,138.

Eleven National MPs spent more than 20,000, including Nicky Wagner on $35,887.

Mr Key spent a modest $2524.

Also released today were ministerial credit card information for the past three months.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully could have scored points with the International Rugby Board after an extravagant $2855 dinner.

Credit card statements released today from April 1 to June 30 show more $2800 was charged on the staff credit card for an IRB dinner at Kermadec Brasserie Bar in Auckland in March.

The minister, who is expected to entertain in posh places, hosted the dinner for more than 10 people.

The expensive items on the bill were four Ata Rangi Pinot Noir bottles costing a total $740, with three oysters plates for a total of $156, and bread for $230.

Mr McCully, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sport and Recreation, also hosted a seven-person dinner with Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele at Soul Bar in Auckland for $747.50.

A dinner at Shed 5 in Wellington on June 13 with Zimbabwe Sport Minister David Coltart cost $417.50 and included two bottles of Seresin Chardonnay for $176.

In credit card statements previously released from November 2008 to February this year, Mr McCully spent a lot of time overseas staying in hotels and eating in restaurants.

Over the last three months, he has stopped in Egypt and China.

- NZPA