Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg defends Christchurch Airport valet parking citing time constraints, travelling with toddler

Sunday, 21 June 2026

Nicola Grigg’s preferred parking at Christchurch International Airport is valet parking, the most expensive option. (File photo)

Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg has defended her use of valet parking at Christchurch Airport at taxpayers’ expense, saying it’s “sometimes required” to meet time pressures and because she’s often travelling with her toddler.

Her credit card expense reports show, in fact, between February 2024 and February 2026 the National Party MP used the valet service all 43 times she parked at the airport.

Auckland-based MP Karen Chhour left her car in airport’s short-stay parking area for 15 days. Taxpayers footed the $630 bill.

MPs across the country are facing increased scrutiny over the perks of their jobs, and how they use them. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has asked for advice for former MPs entitlements, but not for current MP entitlements.

NZ First minister Shane Jones is currently under pressure over a $30,000 overspend for a mining conference trip to Canada last year, attributed to a private limousine kept on 24-hour standby and business class flights.

Auckland-based Children's Minister Karen Chhour clocked up nearly $17,000 in airport parking costs. Among the charges was a $630 bill after her vehicle remained in the airport's short-stay parking area for 15 days.

All MPs are entitled to taxpayer-funded domestic travel for parliamentary business, including taxis, rideshares, and parking. Grigg has recorded some of the lowest overall travel and accommodation costs in Cabinet.

Grigg lives in Prebbleton and holds the Environment, State for Trade and Investment, and Women ministerial portfolios as well as being Associate Minister for ACC.

Since April 1, 2024, she has spent $4863 parking at Christchurch’s Airport using its valet service 43 times.

Valet parking is the airport’s most expensive parking option and is located at the terminal. About half of her stays were for one day, the other half were two to three days.

It would have been about $1000 cheaper for her to park in express parking, which is about a minute’s walk away from the terminal.

The taxpayer could have saved about $1500 if she chose short stay parking, a three-minute walk, or long-stay parking, a five-minute walk.

Nicola Grigg in the debating chamber in Parliament.

Braving a seven-minute walk from the Orchard Rd car park could have saved almost $2000.

A spokesperson for Grigg said: 'Valet parking is sometimes required in order to meet time pressures on the Minister’s schedule, which often involves attending events or commitments directly from travel, as well as both very early mornings and late nights, and often travelling with a toddler.

“The Minister does not use the Crown car service frequently in Christchurch and is more inclined to self-drive in order to reduce costs.'

Grigg became a mother to her baby boy, Geordie, while in office in late 2023. She took leave for a couple of months before returning to Parliament.

When asked if Grigg would consider using cheaper parking at the airport in future, the spokesperson said Grigg had “nothing further to add”.