The latest receipts for ministers’ credit card spending show some unexpected purchases, including a harmonica, trips to McDonald’s and insect repellent.
Thousands of dollars are being legitimately spent by the Offices of Ministers on their work credit cards according to documents released by the Department of Internal Affairs. The majority of the spending involves flights, ubers and taxis, car parking, dinners while on trips and gifts for foreign dignitaries.
But the ledger for April to June this year also details some buys which are more unusual, though still within the rules, and sets out the ministers who are spending the most.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
A total of $963.50 was spent on the Prime Minister’s work credit card from April 1 to June 30.
The most expensive purchase was a Hohner Super Chromonica – a harmonica – for a foreign dignitary, which was bought for $399 from the Rock Shop in Albany in Auckland. His office explained: “Gift exchanges are a regular feature of leaders’ meetings on foreign visits. The harmonica was presented to Prime Minister Rabuka during Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to Fiji in June.”
A sum of $250 was also spent on a Henselite bowls bag for a foreign dignitary. A description of the bag on its website says “The Henselite Sports Pro Lawn Bowls Bag is the ultimate sports carry bag for competitive bowlers with all the space and functionality you need.”
Other expenses include an avocado on toast lunch with a coffee while travelling, a pot of tea for a dignitary in the Philippines and various uber trips to meetings, airports and accommodation.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters
Winston Peters was one of the big spenders on his work credit card, with his expenses totalling $4048.81 over the three months.
The majority of the spending relates to Peters’ capacity as Foreign Minister with hotel accommodation and foreign currency exchange making up that total.
A Swanndri “Foxton Oilskin Vest with Wool Lining” for a foreign dignitary cost $209.99.
His X account displays as being verified “because it is a government or multilateral organisation account,” yet receipts show that Peters paid $79 for the annual premium subscription to the social media site.
And while on a diplomatic trip to the United States in April, Peters enjoyed a drink with three other colleagues at a New York restaurant, with records showing purchases of two Stella draughts and two Goose Islands.
Regulation Minister David Seymour
The ACT Party leader and, from May next year, deputy prime minister David Seymour was one of the lowest spenders.
He spent just $74.61 on his work credit card for the three months.
His expenses included a lunch at Mojo while travelling, a breakfast at Newmarket’s L’Affare and a short-term car parking spot at Wellington airport.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis
Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ credit card spending was just below that of the Prime Minister’s. Her total was $906.80 for the three-month period.
Nearly two thirds of that spending was a subscription to UK news magazine The Economist, which costs $599 annually.
Other spending included the purchasing of a diplomatic passport, a passport photo and two tickets to Fieldays.
Defence Minister Judith Collins
No Minister has as many portfolios as Judith Collins – she has seven.
And that may be reflected in her spending.
A total of $10,267.80 was spent on Collins’ work credit card between April and June.
More than $8,500 of this relates to Collins’ trip to the UK and Italy in May where she met her defence counterparts.
Gifts for dignitaries totalled over $700, including two copies of Wira Gardiner’s Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!: B Company 28th Maori Battalion 1939-1945, a pounamu, a set of fine white bronze cufflinks and a koru coaster.
Collins even paid a $7.50 tourist tax when she went to Rome.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop
Chris Bishop has become one of the Government’s most ever-present ministers holding the housing, infrastructure, RMA reform and sport portfolios. He’s also the leader of the house.
He spent $4,499.33 on his work credit card, most of which relates to a trip he took in March for infrastructure meetings in London followed by a visit to the world anti-doping symposium in Switzerland.
While some ministers have been keen to dine at luxury spots overseas, Minister Bishop stuck with budget-option McDonald’s.
Documents show he and a staff member travelling with him visited the fast-food joint three times in three days from March 10-March 12.
A spokesperson for Bishop said: “The Minister takes seriously his responsibility to be a prudent guardian of taxpayer money. He also really likes fast-food. His waistline is proof of that.”
Honourable Mentions
Amongst the other ministers, a few other notable purchases jump out.
Health Minister Shane Reti bought two copies of North and South magazine for $21.63. The issue carried a feature that included him.
Casey Costello made a trip to London for the global fraud summit in March in her capacity as Associate Police and Customs Minister. Records show that toasties were a popular option for the Minister with four purchased over four days between March 9 and 12.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith was visited by an overseas minister in February. Instead of venturing far and wide for a gift, Goldsmith opted for Parliament’s shop with staff purchasing a $90 stained glass window scarf.
Simon Watts, Climate Minister, travelled to the Pacific as part of bilateral visits in May. Conscious of not letting the bugs bite at night, Watts purchased two lots of insect repellent, a roll-on and an aerosol, for $32.98.