28889 (2026). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Minister responsible for Ministerial Services

28889 (2026). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Minister responsible for Ministerial Services: Which Ministers, if any, have spent more than their initially approved spend for overseas travel, since 1 December 2023, and what was the amount spent over the initial approved total?

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon: It is my expectation that Ministers and the offices take all steps to stick within their travel budgets, but there will be times where additional costs are necessary. For example, when I travelled to Australia in 2024 the NZ DF plane broke down, necessitating the purchase of commercial tickets. In other instances, changes to meeting programmes or weather events have resulted in additional costs beyond initially approved budgets. I am advised that on average, the amount spent on each international trip since 1 December 2023 is under budget by approximately $10,900. Of the 248 trips undertaken over this period, primarily to Australia and the Pacific, 230 were on or under their initially approved budget. However, 18 trips have incurred costs that exceeded their initially approved budget. The attached table sets out the information regarding trips where costs exceeded their initially approved budget. I am advised that retrospective agreement for the additional costs to be met by Ministerial Services has occurred for Minister Jones’ travel to Canada, and Minister McClay’s travel to Cameroon, given their quantum. Details around Minister Jones’ trip have been set out publicly. For Minister McClay’s travel to Cameroon, I am advised that the travel to Cameroon for Minister McClay, Hon Damien O’Connor and staff increased due to the flights having to be rebooked at short notice due to the conflict in the Middle East interfering with flight paths. Minister Destination Departure Return Cabinet Approved Amount[1] Cost of Trip to Date Variance $ Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Australia 5/03/2024 6/03/2024 $6,055 $14,070 -$8,015 Rt Hon Winston Peters UAE Egypt UK France Belgium Sweden 30/03/2024 6/04/2024 $121,922 $133,711 -$11,789 Hon Mark Mitchell Canberra, Australia 2/05/2024 4/05/2024 $7,581 $8,463 -$882 Hon Judith Collins Tonga 1/07/2024 3/07/2024 $7,205 $7,657 -$452 Hon Todd McClay Brazil 21/10/2024 27/10/2024 $80,252 $88,674 -$8,422 Rt Hon Winston Peters Melbourne, Australia 5/11/2024 6/11/2024 $13,729 $14,301 -$572 Rt Hon Winston Peters UAE, Saudi Arabia & North Asia 20/02/2025 2/03/2025 $79,826 $92,466 -$12,640 Hon Shane Jones Canada 1/03/2025 8/03/2025 $33,068 $63,019 -$29,951 Rt Hon Winston Peters France, Italy and Indonesia 7/06/2025 14/06/2025 $69,295 $71,382 -$2,087 Rt Hon Winston Peters Fiji 13/08/2025 14/08/2025 $1,461 $1,849 -$388 Hon David Seymour Australia 27/08/2025 31/08/2025 $1,600 $1,793 -$193 Hon Todd McClay Australia 29/08/2025 3/09/2025 $9,660 $12,144 -$2,484 Hon Mark Mitchell Australia 7/09/2025 9/09/2025 $4,884 $5,001 -$117 Hon Louise Upston China 22/09/2025 27/09/2025 $29.500 $34,499 -$4,999 Hon Dr Shane Reti Tonga 16/10/2025 18/10/2025 $3,267 $5,118 -$1,851 Hon Judith Collins USA 29/11/2025 8/12/2025 $10,395 $12,498 -$2,103 Hon Casey Costello Vienna, London and Geneva 15/03/2026 20/03/2026 $37,725 $49,169 -$11,444 Hon Todd McClay Cameroon 22/03/2026 1/04/2026 $76,666 $122,015 -$45,349 (1) Cabinet approval is not required for travel to Australia or the Ross Dependency. Travel to these destinations require the Prime Minister’s approval. Please note that total figures listed under the ‘Cabinet Approved Amount’ Column may include retrospective agreement for additional costs incurred. These costs are approved by the Prime Minister or delegate.