Former ministers admit spending breaches

The first public viewing of more than 7,000 pages of credit card expenses booked by former Labour government ministers between 2003 and 2008 revealed hundreds of purchases outside the rules.

Former housing minister Shane Jones admitted using his ministerial credit card to pay for "adult movies," blaming it on being red-blooded.

"I'm a red-blooded adult," he told reporters. "It shouldn't have happened, it has happened, it doesn't make me feel particularly worthy –but I'm not going to hide from it."

He admitted spending thousands on personal items and called his actions an "egregious lapse". "It was wrong," he said, adding he apologised profusely.

He had claimed 6,450 New Zealand dollars (3,000) of personal spending on his ministerial card, including the cost of an airline ticket to take him to a function, before his party lost office in November 2008.

Jones faces censure by Labour MPs next week, as well as public censure, but does not face further sanctions after paying back the cash.

Former minister Chris Carter bought flowers for his partner's birthday on his ministerial card. Former Maori Affairs minister Parekura Horomia spent 500 NZ dollars (233) on one meal at a Chinese restaurant and former Arts Minister Judith Tizard bought a 155 NZ dollar (72) bottle of Bollinger with taxpayers' cash.

Labour deputy leader Annette King labelled some of the rule breaches "unacceptable."