2131 days ago

Helicopter rides, Elton John tickets and cigars: What gifts MPs were given over the last year

The office of the Speaker has released the Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests, which includes a summary of MPs' interests as at 31 January this year. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received a range of gifts, including tickets to Elton John's concert and U2's - with those tickets gifted by lead singer Bono. Other gifts included products from Loreal, a lifetime subscription to TIME magazine, and tickets to Warriors and All Blacks matches. National leader Simon Bridges also scored free tickets to U2, and tickets to the Bledisloe Cup. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and National's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee both received cuban cigars from the Cuban Embassy or Ambassador. And helicopter flights were a theme amongst National MPs, with nine declaring they were gifted a free ride.
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More messages from your neighbours

Notice of intention to control targeted weeds

Weather permitting spot spraying will be carried out in the following areas during March 2026.

Albert-Eden,
Puketapapa & Whau
Local Boards,
Auckland Domain,
Manukau Memorial Gardens,
North Shore
Memorial Park,
Waikumete Cemetery.

Herbicide applications will be carried out in reserves, cycleways, street gardens, street kerb and channels and berms/boundary edges. No spraying will be undertaken in agreed no-spray zones, during this period.

Auckland Council operates from a Code of Practice that governs all spray operations. Spraying will be undertaken by Programmed Facility Management.
For more information please phone Auckland Council on 09 301 0101. Find out more

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