Charles and Camilla's royal visit costs New Zealand taxpayers $1.4 million
Thursday, 5 May 2016
The royal visit by Prince Charles and wife Camilla in 2015 cost the New Zealand taxpayer $1.4 million.
Figures published by the Department of Internal Affairs detail the cost of the seven-day November tour by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
In contrast, the visit by Charles' youngest son Prince Harry, also in 2015, cost $426,317, one-third of the couple's visit.
Personnel costs were the biggest expense, at $494,153 for Charles and Camilla, while Prince Harry's nine-day visit cost $18,024 for personnel.
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The royal couple visited Auckland, New Plymouth, Ngaruawahia, Wellington, Nelson, Westport and Dunedin.
A breakdown revealed the international travel bill was $231,268, domestic travel cost $123,418 and vehicle hire cost $322,459.
Other costs incurred included $135,183 on accommodation and meals, $53,476 on Government hospitality and general operating costs of $35,919.
In a statement, the department said the visit provided an opportunity for the royal couple to build on relationships formed during a previous tour in 2012 and meet a broad cross section of New Zealanders.
Figures represent overall costs of $1,395,876 incurred by New Zealand but not the overall cost of their international itinerary, which also included expenses met by the Australian government during the couple's time across the ditch.
'Direct visit costs' include air travel, vehicle hire and Government hospitality.
'Their Royal Highnesses received a high profile powhiri at Turangawaewae Marae, and met with members of the general public in every centre they visited.
'The total cost of the visit is in line with expectations and reflects the complexity and special nature of this visit,' the department said.
Costs also reflected an increase in the rates charged by the department's VIP Transport Services, which provides chauffeur-driven services for ministers and dignitaries and manages the Government fleet.
Changes to internal practices also meant costs were attributed to the department more accurately and some minor costs might not have been accounted for yet, the statement said.
Prince Harry spent nine days visiting Wellington, Christchurch, Linton, Stewart Island, Whanganui and Auckland.
It was Harry's first official visit to New Zealand and he was popular, especially among the residents of Stewart Island when he and his bodyguards sat down in the South Seas Hotel for a pub quiz.
The bodyguards won.
Harry's trip cost $167,703 for international travel, domestic travel cost $52,651 and accommodation and meals cost $84,092.
Vehicle hire was $65,053, Government hospitality cost $19,313 and general costs were $19,481.
The royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and baby Prince George in 2014 cost a little over $1m.
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