Tauranga based Labour MP Mita Ririnui is warning up-and-coming politicians not to accept ministerial credit cards after he was demoted for using his to purchase personal items.
He spent $1581.77 on personal items on his ministerial credit card in 2007 and 2008 while he was a minister in the Labour Government.

Labour MP Mita Ririnui.

Mita says he repaid the amount within days of purchasing the items.
He was demoted alongside fellow Labour MPs Shane Jones and Chris Carter.
"Phil Goff (Labour leader) phoned me last night (Sunday) when he got back from China," says Mita.
"He had been through the documents and he let me know what his decision was going to be. I was expecting it. He didn't just drop it on me."
Phil Goff's demotion means Mita loses his forestry portfolio ,but he will keep his role as Labour's associate treaty negotiations spokesperson.
Mita thought purchasing personal items with his ministerial credit card, and repaying the amount shortly after, was within the spending rules.
"I was given advice and that advice turned out to be incorrect.
"I've been told that no-one would have given me that advice. Well I'm adamant that I was and so were other ministers."
He is warning other up-and-coming politicians not to make the same mistake.
"Just don't go there. It's not worth the hassle. Somewhere along the way, something unexpected might come along and then you find yourself having to answer questions that you didn't realise you'd have to answer."