The day royal visit has used up four years travel for the Governor-General

New Zealand Republic is disputing the cost of hosting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge saying "the money spent for a ten day visit would be better spent on the Governor-General's increasing travel costs".

"The costs of hosting the royal visit in April have been understated and the benefits to tourism in New Zealand have been deliberately overstated" said Savage, the campaign's Chairman.

"Internal Affairs has announced it cost $1 035 000 to host the royal couple but this figure excludes the cost of flying them around, the cost to local councils and the associated costs of numerous other government departments including the cost of entertaining the media who followed them. In 2012 Charles and Camilla cost taxpayers $425 000 for six days of travel. Based on that figure we are looking at another $700 000 on the Air Force alone".

"We are carrying out our own analysis and have requested information from 25 local bodies and government agencies. We expect the figure is closer to $2 million which equates to the Governor-General's travel budget for the next four years".

"Royal visits are interesting for some of us but overall Kiwis would be better off if we spent our money on the Governor-General who is far more important and who does all the actual work of a head of state".

"44% of New Zealanders want a New Zealander to be head of state. The Governor-General's travel budget has increased because of war commemorations in Europe over the next four years. Last year alone it increased from $307 000 to $465 000. Right now he is in Normandy for the 70th anniversary of D-Day landings. Why spend money hosting royalty when it can be better spent on other priorities".

You can read this on our website and find out more about the campaign for a Kiwi head of state at www.republic.org.nz/our-blog/

ENDS

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