www.voxy.co.nz
29 July 2010
By Paloma Migone of NZPA
Wellington, July 29 NZPA – Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully could have scored points with the International Rugby Board after an extravagant $2855 dinner.
Credit card statements released today from April 1 to June 30 show more $2800 was charged on the staff credit card for an IRB dinner at Kermadec Brasserie Bar in Auckland in March.
The minister, who is expected to entertain in posh places, hosted the dinner for more than 10 people.
The expensive items on the bill were four Ata Rangi Pinot Noir bottles costing a total $740, with three oysters plates for a total of $156, and bread for $230.
Mr McCully, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sport and Recreation, also hosted a seven-person dinner with Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele at Soul Bar in Auckland for $747.50.
A dinner at Shed 5 in Wellington on June 13 with Zimbabwe Sport Minister David Coltart cost $417.50 and included two bottles of Seresin Chardonnay for $176.
In credit card statements previously released from November 2008 to February this year, Mr McCully spent a lot of time overseas staying in hotels and eating in restaurants.
Over the last three months, he has stopped in Egypt and China.