Rodney Hide has apologised for his recent taxpayer-funded holiday to Hawaii with his girlfriend Louise Crome. The Act Leader fronted media this afternoon, saying he made a mistake and showed poor judgement.
Mr Hide has also admitted his casual use of taxpayers money means he has failed to live up to his self-proclaimed role of 'perk buster'. He says he can understand hard working New Zealanders being appalled at his taking an overseas holiday at their expense, even though he has played by the rules.
Mr Hide has already paid back $10,000 used for the couple's July Hawaii holiday earlier in the week. He says he will now also pay back $11,000 of taxpayers money used for their more recent trip to London, Canada and the United States.
The ACT Party Leader says he got it wrong and he wants to apologise to the public, his colleagues and most importantly the people of Epsom. Mr Hide is also promising he will never again use taxpayers' money for any overseas holidays.
