Wellington, July 1 NZPA - John Key has spent nearly $150,000 on travel since being elected prime minister.

The New Zealand Herald reported information provided to Labour MP Chris Hipkins that a November trip to an Asia Pacific Economic Community (Apec) meeting in Peru, then to London to meet the Queen cost $96,841.

The PM's travel since the election until May 7 cost $148,595 for four trips.

The total bill for all ministers' international travel over that period was $707,581. It included airfares, accommodation, other expenses and the costs of any accompanying staff, MPs or spouses.

The first class bookings for trip to Peru were made when Helen Clark was prime minister and subsequent trips Mr Key took were business class.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully had the biggest international travel bill at $175,834 for the 11 international trips he made between November and May 7.

He was followed by Trade Minister Tim Groser, who spent $172,503 on five trips.

* Mr McCully:

$175,834 -- 11 trips, including $35,230 for Apec meeting in Peru; $40,157 in April to go to The Hague for meeting on Afghanistan, then to United States for meetings with US administration.

* Mr Groser:

$172,503 -- five trips, including Poland for United Nations climate change conference; Switzerland ($48,421), meeting of trade ministers; trade visits in Belgium and Germany ($40,132); trade meetings in India and Thailand ($40,050).

* Mr Key:

$148,595 -- including $96,841 for Apec meeting in Peru and on to London; $37,773 to East Asia Summit in Thailand, then to China.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne:

$31,671 -- two trips, including Vienna for UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs ($24,664).

* Defence Minister Wayne Mapp:

$28,163 - three trips, including to Poland for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) Council meeting ($23,802).

Meanwhile, The Dominion Post reported that MPs were racking up thousands of dollars in airpoints.

Government department staff must use the points for work-related flights but MPs were "urged" only to do so.

On Monday, Mr Key said ministers were told that they cannot take their spouses on trips overseas unless they paid for it.

Mr Key has signed a new determination at the end of May for what ministers could get in travel, accommodation and other entitlements.

The Herald reported the rules were similar to a previous determination but spelt out more clearly what the taxpayer should be expected to bear the cost of.

Ministers with official residences in Wellington can get cleaning, gardening, basic Sky subscription and bed linen laundry paid for.

Wellington internet, phone, heating and electricity bills are paid.

When travelling more than 80km away from home or Wellington on ministerial business, they can get up to $350 a day for accommodation costs, or $500 if their spouse is with them.

All can get a chauffeur-driven car and a self-drive car, although a change in the rules meant the prime minister can limit the value.

A cross party group has agreed to start publicly releases publication of some expenses.