New Zealand royal tour cost over $850,000

Prince William and Duchess Catherine’s royal visit to New Zealand cost more than $850,000.

The royal couple took part in a whirlwind 11-day tour of Australia and New Zealand in April, and the country’s Department of Internal Affairs has detailed the expenditure required to accommodate the British heirs.

$361,000 was spent on personnel costs, according to the department, while $86,000 was spent on international travel and $68,000 spent on domestic air travel. An additional $91,000 was spent on car hire.

Costs for accommodation and meals set taxpayers back another $112,000, $75,000 was spent on government hospitality, and general operating costs – including security to protect William, Catherine and their 10-month-old son Prince George – reached $83,000.

The total is over $1 million NZ, which is in line with an estimate made by Prime Minister John Key in March.

The leader predicted the tour could cost $1 million, but insisted the royal visit would be worth it.

He said: ”The costs of these visits are obviously significant but on the other side of the coin I suspect we’ll get a lot of marketing for New Zealand with the large contingent of international media covering it.”