Hunt's extra month in House covered his salary gap

Former Speaker Jonathan Hunt allegedly told fellow MPs that he stayed in Parliament an extra month for the salary.

The claim from Act MP Ken Shirley follows Mr Hunt's admission this weekend that he was inquiring about collecting a $125-a-week public pension. The 66-year old is paid at least $125,000 a year as New Zealand High Commissioner to Britain, and reportedly collects a $77,000 a year Parliamentary pension.

He is also entitled to nearly $13,000 a year in New Zealand superannuation, but not while he is living overseas. Instead, he could be entitled to a British pension.

While in Parliament, Mr Hunt was known as the "Minister of Wine and Cheese", and in 1997 hit headlines when it was revealed he had run up nearly $30,000 on taxis the year before.

Mr Hunt's resignation as Speaker took effect on March 2 but he remained in Parliament - nominally on the backbenches though rarely present - until March 30.

Mr Shirley said the retiring Speaker had told a cross-party group of MPs that he had stayed on the extra month as a backbencher to bridge the salary gap between finishing as Speaker and beginning as High Commissioner.

"He said his pay didn't start until he arrived in London so he was staying on the backbenches for another month, having stood downas Speaker, until the newjob started."

Green co-leader Rod Donald was also present: "I don't recall him mentioning his salary but he certainly said he would stay on for a few weeks after stepping down as Speaker to tidy up his affairs," Mr Donald said.

In March, Mr Hunt admitted he would be taking an $8000 barrel of Vavasour wine with him to London - a thank you present for agreeing to promote Vavasour and other New Zealand wines in Britain.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY