National backbench MP Paul Foster-Bell is one of the highest spending non-minister MPs based in Wellington, despite living next door to Parliament and being a list MP.
Last year, he spent more than $60,000 on travel and accommodation -- higher than deputy Labour leader Annette King, shadow Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Greens co-leader James Shaw, all of whom live in the capital and have much bigger roles.
Mr Foster-Bell spent three times as much as fellow National Wellington-based list MP Brett Hudson, and is well ahead of Hutt-based list MP Chris Bishop.
"I don't actually think any of my travel is outside the rules. All of my travel is within the rules," he told Newshub.
Topping the list of Wellington-based spenders is Labour leader Andrew Little, who billed the taxpayer for travel and accommodation totalling $108,379. His deputy, Ms King, came in at number five, with a much more modest $54,324.
Behind Mr Little is Mana MP Kris Faafoi, who clocked up a massive $63,861 in 2015.
1. Andrew Little, Labour: $108,379 2. Kris Faafoi, Labour: $63,861 3. Paul Foster-Bell, National: $61,090 4. James Shaw, Greens: $57,358 5. Annette King, Labour: $54,324 6. Trevor Mallard, Labour: $49,683 7. Gareth Hughes, Greens $48,751 8. Grant Robertson, Labour: $47,092 9. Jan Logie, Greens: $43,116 10.Chris Hipkins, Labour: $42,531 11. Chris Bishop, National: $37,352 12. Brett Hudson, National: $20,471
Newshub.
