Full Breakdown
Three MPs Accumulate $20,000-Plus Travel Bills During Six-Week Parliamentary Sitting
6/30/2026, 4:18:16 AM
Background: Parliamentary Travel Obligations and Seasonal Events
During a six-week sitting period, New Zealand MPs’ travel expenses include routine duties, an annual away caucus hosted by most parties, and nationwide Waitangi Day celebrations. All travel, accommodation and related costs are declared to Parliamentary Travel, which processes the claims.
Profiles of the Highest-Spending MPs
- Arbuckle (NZ First) – First-term list MP based in Marlborough; expected to travel frequently across the South Island and beyond.
- James Bennett (Labour) – List MP and Labour’s tourism and hospitality spokesman, residing in New Plymouth; also the party’s Coromandel candidate.
- Greg Fleming (National) – MP for Maungakiekie, Auckland-based, without a spokesperson portfolio.
Travel Cost Data and Comparative Figures
- Arbuckle: $25,098
- Bennett: $21,349
- Fleming: $20,931
For context, other Auckland-based National MPs reported lower totals: Paulo Garcia ($11,000 +), Melissa Lee ($10,900), and Nancy Lu (just under $14,000). Labour MP Ingrid Leary spent just under $20,000, while former Labour list MP Peeni Henare recorded $18,379. Green Party list MPs Huhana Lyndon and Scott Willis each incurred roughly $17,500, and independent MP Takuta Ferris spent $17,367.
Official Party Explanations
NZ First noted that list MPs have nationwide responsibilities distinct from electorate MPs, requiring constant travel as party representatives. Labour emphasized the high cost of regional flights following reductions in Air New Zealand services and clarified that Bennett’s campaign travel in the Coromandel is funded personally. The National Party described Fleming’s travel as short-notice representation of colleagues at multiple events. Labour’s monitoring spokesperson affirmed that spending balances parliamentary duties with responsible resource use. All parties referenced Parliamentary Travel’s role in processing claims without identified cost concerns.
Criticism Over Transparency and Public Disclosure
Parliamentary Service expenses are declared but the body remains exempt from the Official Information Act, unlike ministers. Consequently, MPs are not required to publish receipts, detailed statements, or itineraries, limiting public insight into the specific purposes of each trip.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Sources confirm total amounts but do not disclose breakdowns by travel mode, accommodation type, or event purpose. The exemption from the Official Information Act prevents verification of individual claim details, creating a gap between declared totals and observable evidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It must be noted that all travel costs are processed and presented by Parliamentary Travel and no concerns of cost or application have been raised with any NZ First MP.” — NZ First spokesperson
- “With the reduction in Air New Zealand services, it’s actually really expensive to get anywhere from the regions.” — James Bennett, Labour MP
- “When I go there, generally I do it off my own back.” — James Bennett, Labour MP
- “We monitor Labour MPs’ spending and are satisfied it balances the requirements of MPs with the responsible use of parliamentary resources.” — Labour spokesperson
- “During this period, Mr Fleming was called on to represent his colleagues at several events requiring short-notice travel bookings.” — National Party spokesperson
Implications and Future Outlook
The concentration of high travel costs among a few MPs, combined with limited public disclosure, has prompted calls for greater transparency in parliamentary expense reporting. Stakeholders may seek legislative amendments to extend Official Information Act coverage to the Parliamentary Service, ensuring detailed travel records become publicly accessible. Ongoing monitoring by party officials and media scrutiny are likely to continue as the next parliamentary session approaches.
