Politics

Disgraced MP among highest spenders

18:03 pm on 31 July 2014

Disgraced National backbencher Claudette Hauiti ranks among the highest spending MPs in Parliament over the last quarter.

Claudette Hauiti Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Ms Hauiti, who's retiring at September's election after misspending taxpayers' money, spent $30,824 on travel and accommodation from April to June. That compares to between $15,000 and $20,000 by other Auckland-based National backbenchers.

Mana leader Hone Harawira holds on to his title as the highest-spending MP, racking $52,845 - more than twice that of Labour leader David Cunliffe, who spent $24,154.

However, Mr Harawira's Te Tai Tokerau electorate is one of the largest in the country and can be expensive to traverse.

Other big spenders include Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell ($37,226), Labour's Damien O'Connor ($33,013) and New Zealand First's Richard Prosser ($31,318).

Meanwhile, details of Ministers' credit card spending have also been released.

As usual, Prime Minister John Key sits top of the list, spending more than $65,000 on travel and accommodation from April to June, followed by Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples who claimed almost 46,000.