Salesa and Jones top spenders
Some of new Govt’s ministers spending even more than PM
TJamie Morton
deputy political editor he first release of expenses since the Labour-NZ First coalition took over government shows some ministers are using the Crown car service and outspending even the Prime Minister.
Travel and accommodation from October 1 to the end of December has Jacinda Ardern’s domestic travel and accommodation costs at $27,751 for her first three months in office — although that figure drops to $20,847 once a $7000 repayment for an accommodation allowance is taken off.
Of that $14,600 was on surface travel — most of which is likely to be the cost of the Crown BMW limo.
The highest-spending minister was Building and Ethnic Communities Minister Jenny Salesa, who spent $30,186 — including almost $14,000 on surface travel. A spokeswoman said her work required travel to meet different groups. Salesa also had to stand in for other ministers at events.
NZ First MP and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones spent $27,300, including $11,436 on surface travel and $9100 on domestic flights — the highest flight bill of any minister.
Usually the highest travel bills are for Northland- and Southland-based MPs — Jones lives in Kerikeri.
A spokeswoman said his role also required significant regional travel and rental cars were sometimes used.
Other apparently high users of the Crown cars included Northlandbased Kelvin Davis — the Tourism, Corrections and Crown-Maori Relations Minister, who spent $24,644, including $10,980 on surface travel.
Auckland-based Housing and Transport Minister Phil Twyford spent $11,400 on surface travel and his costs were $23,640 overall.
Ministerial credit cards have had their first workout for some. Most of that spending was on items such as diplomatic passports for ministers, spouses and staff — including for Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford. Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ included modest gifts and hotel bills in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Peters’ costs were restrained at $16,140, including just $4830 on Crown limos. He spent $33,000 on international travel — just ahead of Trade Minister David Parker, who spent $32,850 on international travel.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw spent $26,712 on international travel — Shaw travelled to Europe for climate-change meetings.
Former National Party leader Bill English spent only $6700.
Of MPs who are not ministers, the top four were all National MPs. Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller was the highest, spending $26,329 — including $17,754 on domestic flights.
List MP David Carter was next with $26,278, then Christchurch-based list MP Nuk Korako ($23,455) and Whangarei MP Shane Reti ($23,129).
The expenses include some costs from the previous quarter which had not been invoiced already.