A rare public disagreement has emerged inside the coalition government after Finance Minister Nicola Willis criticised Regional Development Minister Shane Jones over a $30,000 budget blowout on an overseas trip to Canada.
By eLocal Report
The controversy centres on a March 2025 trip by Jones to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference, one of the world's largest mining events.
The trip was originally approved by Cabinet with a budget of approximately $33,000 but ultimately cost taxpayers around $63,000, prompting questions about ministerial spending and accountability.
Willis: Ministers Must Stay Within Budget
Finance Minister Nicola Willis took an unusually direct approach when questioned about the overspend.
Willis told RNZ that spending limits approved by Cabinet should be treated seriously by all ministers.
She said her own office consistently spends less than approved travel budgets and suggested Jones' office had made "significant errors" in managing the trip.
Willis also indicated that all ministers, including Jones, should remain accountable for expenditure approved by Cabinet.
Nicola Willis says all ministers including Shane Jones should take budgets set by Cabinet very seriously. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Jones Rejects Criticism
Shane Jones responded quickly, rejecting suggestions that he or his office had made mistakes.
Jones said he was unaware of any errors and suggested officials were responsible for travel arrangements and approvals.
When questioned about reports that a private limousine was placed on standby for 24 hours over three days at a cost of approximately C$3,791, Jones said those arrangements would have been handled by trip organisers rather than himself.
He also attributed a business-class airfare upgrade to what he described as a booking mix-up.
"To the best of my knowledge there was some sort of cock-up with the original booking," Jones told RNZ.
Jones maintained that travel logistics and budget administration sit largely with officials rather than ministers.
Luxon Calls It An Administrative Error
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sought to calm the dispute, describing the issue as an administrative mistake rather than deliberate overspending.
"It genuinely was an administrative error," Luxon told reporters.
"I expect it won't happen again."
While supporting Jones, Luxon reiterated that ministers are expected to remain within approved travel budgets.
Peters Mounts Strong Defence
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters strongly defended his deputy, arguing that the spending had been exaggerated and was not unusual by ministerial standards.
Peters said the original budget estimates were unrealistic and that actual travel costs reflected normal ministerial travel requirements.
"There's nothing out of the ordinary on this matter at all," Peters said.
He also defended the business-class travel upgrade, noting that long-haul flights of around 20 hours are eligible for such upgrades under existing rules.
Peters argued that ministers often face real-world circumstances that differ from original budget estimates and suggested critics were overstating the issue.
Questions Over Delayed Approval
The controversy has also raised questions about the timeline surrounding approval of the overspend.
RNZ reported that Ministerial Services began seeking explanations regarding the additional expenditure in May 2025.
Several follow-up communications reportedly occurred before Jones eventually sought retrospective approval from the Prime Minister's office in January this year.
Approval was subsequently granted the following month.
Peters attributed the delay to bureaucratic processes rather than any action by Jones.
Opposition Seizes On Spending
Labour leader Chris Hipkins also entered the debate, arguing the overspend undermines the government's repeated calls for fiscal restraint.
Hipkins said New Zealanders are being asked to tighten their belts while ministers appear willing to spend beyond approved budgets.
The comments reflect a wider political battle over government spending as cost-of-living pressures remain a significant issue for many households.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the political sparring, the episode raises broader questions about ministerial accountability, travel spending and public confidence in government expenditure.
While supporters argue the costs reflected the realities of international ministerial travel, critics say the public expects ministers to practise the same financial discipline they ask of taxpayers.
With the election approaching, spending controversies such as this are likely to face increasing scrutiny from both opposition parties and voters.
Source:** RNZ | Jo Moir | 19 June 2026