Social development minister Louise Upston has defended claiming $52,000 a year for an apartment she owns in Wellington, but won’t explain what costs it is covering.
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says MPs claiming accommodation costs in Wellington is “something we’re looking at”, and that the entitlement “shouldn’t be being used to basically boost somebody’s salary in the way that it is”.
Budget 2026: Labour not saying what it would keep or cut from Nicola Willis’ Budget
From $43k to $39m: How much might your council get from Govt’s new housing consent scheme?
Thomas Coughlan: Nicola Willis gives herself some breathing space and puts the squeeze on Labour
Audrey Young: Lobbying row centred on PM's office stinks to high heaven
Where’s the money coming from? The cuts that made Budget 2026
'Just trying to get by': Kāinga Ora tenants speak out on social housing reforms
Hospitality sector divided on rates rise for Wellington Airbnbs
Cash for houses: Govt offers $400m to councils to give planning approval to more homes
'Feel free to boo': Greens slam Luxon for 'flawed' Budget 2026
Live Budget Q&A: Audrey Young, Liam Dann and Jenée Tibshraeny answer your questions
Meanwhile, Chris Hipkins says some perks are "very hard to justify" after reports minister Louise Upston gets a $1000 a week to…
Upston is the minister responsible for lifting the eligibility threshold for homeowners claiming an accommodation supplement.
Louise Upston wouldn’t answer questions about whether she would meet the eligibility threshold she is seeking for New Zealanders…
ANALYSIS: The Government has preached fiscal responsibility but won’t look in its own backyard for any cost savings, writes Jenna…
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority announced that MPs will receive £110,000 by 2029 as they face increasing levels…
Chris Hipkins' party has been criticised for a lack of policy.
