$95,000 spent on Premier House since Luxon became PM
Premier House has received more than $95,000 in upgrades since Christopher Luxon came to power, including fresh paint for its bedrooms, new bedding and kitchen appliances, and a Sky television connection.
And officials considered the residence would be ready for the new prime minister to live in from mid- to late-February.
Luxon has faced questions about Premier House and its condition since he was confirmed as claiming a $52,000 taxpayer-funded accommodation allowance, which he quickly promised to pay back, to live in his own mortgage-free apartment, instead of moving into the prime minister’s residence.
Though Luxon has insisted he would like to live in Premier House, he has said maintenance works and a recommended multimillion-dollar renovation of the ageing property, which he does not want the Government to pay for, are keeping him from doing so.
New details of the maintenance work that has been keeping Luxon from relocating show that, since he took office, there has been $9832 spent on readying the property for the new prime minister, and $85,673 spent on “deferred repairs and maintenance work”.
Among the costs related to the incoming prime minister were $4887.50 for new mattresses for the master bedroom and for a twin room, which also had $690.30 spent on it for new linen.
In the kitchen, $326.98 was spent on a new toaster, kettle and knife set, $220.50 on replacing a microwave, and $45.98 for tea towels.
There was $231.99 spent removing a child safety barrier on a staircase, the prior occupant was then-prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who lived there with her young child, Neve.
A Sky television connection was reinstated at a cost of $125.
More than $3000 was spent on removing and storing furniture that was in the house. Some of the furniture went to the Bolton St ministerial residence that Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is living in.
Much of the total bill was consumed by deferred repairs and maintenance. Renewing the 1990s paintwork in five bedrooms and four bathrooms cost $45,714.
Airconditioning was installed at a cost of $25,432.65, and the building received a full wash for $6292.26. Furniture repairs, including fixing a wardrobe mirror and re-staining outdoor furniture, cost $4206.55.
The decor received an update, large curtain pelmets were removed for $1099.05.
The Department of Internal Affairs, which provided the figures to Stuff under the Official Information Act, said the work “needed to occur as part of the planned and preventative maintenance schedule for the site”.
Luxon said he had no further comment on Premier House when his office was approached yesterday.
His office declined to release under the Official Information Act a report produced by the Premier House board that has recommended what is understood to be a $30 million refurbishment of building as it “does not suit modern living requirements”. Public release of the report was denied as it was still being considered.
However, the office provided partial copies of “status reports” on Premier House, which showed officials believed the apartment in the house would be ready for occupation from mid- to late-February. Officials met with Luxon in mid-February to discuss his long-term priorities for the building.