Wellington  - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key bowed to mounting pressure and agreed Tuesday to consider opening up the expenses of members of parliament to greater public scrutiny.

Key told reporters that he was recommending a committee with representatives of all parties in parliament should be formed to consider the issue.

The proposal marked a turnaround for Key, who leads a centre-right minority government, after he said a week ago that the New Zealand system provided tighter controls over legislators' expenses than in Britain - where national politics have been rocked by a series of shocking disclosures of abuse.

"Clearly the world is changing and we can't sit back and be blind to the fact that what has occurred in the United Kingdom has now increased pressure and demand by voters for a higher level of transparency around the world," he said.

The expenses of government ministers are subject to the Official Information Act and can be readily obtained but legislators voted years ago to exempt themselves from being forced to disclose all their spending.

The opposition Green Party stepped up the pressure on Key at the weekend, promising to release details of their nine legislators' spending on air travel, taxis, car hire and accommodation.

"It's traditionally the role of the Green Party to keep the old grey parties honest and we will do so again," co-leader Metiria Turei said.

Rodney Hide, leader of the free market ACT party and a minister outside cabinet in Key's government, said he would follow suit.

The main opposition Labour Party said earlier that it believed there were enough checks and balances in place, but leader Phil Goff said Tuesday he supported any move to find out if there was any scope for abusing the system. (dpa)