$30,000 bill for Obama’s NZ visit
AUCKLAND: Taxpayers forked out more than $30,000 on former US president Barack Obama’s visit to New Zealand, despite the lack of opportunities for the public to see him.
Mr Obama’s threeday visit in March cost the Government almost $32,000 in costs such as Crown cars and media staff, according to documents released to Stuff by the Department of Internal Affairs.
His visit was accorded the status of a ‘‘guest of Government’’ by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, meaning some costs were funded by the department’s budget for VIP visits.
Before the visit, the department estimated it would cost up to $50,000. The total bill was $31,960.30.
That included $21,500 on Crown cars, including eight drivers and two cars.
A powhiri at Government House cost $4500 while the remaining sum was made up of salary and travel costs for two media coordinators’ staff and sundry expenses.
The powhiri at Government House was the only event open to media and there were no opportunities for the wider public to see Mr Obama.
Mr Obama’s visit included two days of playing golf with former PM Sir John Key in Northland, an invitationonly dinner and speaking event, a powhiri and courtesy meeting with Ms Ardern, and a meeting with a group of Maori women leaders.
Mr Obama’s visit was arranged by the USNew Zealand Council and appearance fees and other costs were covered by sponsors Westpac, Air New Zealand and Mastercard. The companies had treated Mr Obama to nights at luxury golf courses, flown in chef Peter Gordon to prepare the dinner and offered fine New Zealand wines.
Before the meeting, Sir John had said even one tweet from Mr Obama about a New Zealand golf course would make the visit worth it in tourism exposure but that tweet never came.
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton also visited New Zealand in May, but was not treated to the same level of help, beyond some security details. Her speaking event was open to anybody who bought a ticket, as well as the media. — NZME