Speaker Trevor Mallard has defended his trip to Japan, after coming under fire for a "sports diplomacy" trip with National's Gerry Brownlee that was estimated to cost taxpayers $24,000.
The ACT Party has labelled it an outrageous junket.
"I saw the rugby while I was in Japan. Frankly, I do like watching rugby but I would have preferred to watch it on TV at home, walk my dogs and do my possum traps in the Orongorongo[s]," Mr Mallard said today.
"Travelling for 30 hours, to be on the ground for about 48, is not the way I prefer to spend a weekend."
He said he thought that "most New Zealanders understand we have an enormous opportunity to improve trade with Japan".
"We've been effectively trade enemies now for about 30 years," he added. "On the 18th of December, that changes and we will be working together on trade issues.
"There are dozens of New Zealand firms who thought that they could get a major benefit from bringing their contacts in. I took the advice that would be a good thing to do.
"Long range air travel has no romance for me."
When asked why Trade Minister David Parker did not go instead, Mr Mallard said, "Sometimes having other people doing the work is important".
"If I can help New Zealand companies, then I'm happy to do that. Gerry Brownlee is the former minister for foreign affairs, and that is a position that is highly regard within Japan."
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