Minister for children, Karen Chhour. (File photo)
Former minister Peter Dunne says Children's Minister Karen Chhour's explanation for spending nearly $17,000 on airport parking leaves many questions unanswered and highlights the "cavalier" attitude of some MPs towards taxpayer-funded expenses at a time when New Zealanders are under financial pressure.
Newly released expense records, first reported by The Press, show Chhour spent $16,686 on parking at Auckland Airport between February 2024 and February 2026, with her vehicle parked there for a combined eight-and-a-half months.
Chhour has defended the spending, telling Stuff she prefers to "self-drive" because it is "almost always cheaper" than using Crown cars or taxi services, particularly given the extensive travel required in her role and visits to remote communities.
"That will inevitably lead to higher parking spending, but less cost to taxpayers overall," she said.
