Taxpayers foot $300,000 bill for two-day Royal visit

Prince William’s two-day visit after the March 15 terror attacks cost taxpayers more than $300,000.

The Duke of Cambridge’s visit in April cost $301,082, said the Department of Internal Affairs.

• Terror attacks cost police more than $2.5m

A breakdown of the costings showed international travel cost $83,941 and domestic travel $19,142.

The personnel cost was $86,819, accommodation, meals and other travel-related costs came to $33,973, and vehicle hire and use cost $25,186.

Other additional costs were: Government hospitality and events, $40,148 and general operating costs, $11,873.

A DIA spokeswoman said due to the exceptional circumstances, there was an unusually short planning period for the tour.

"The primary objective of this visit was to show support to local and national communities in the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks on March 15," she said.

During the two-day visit, Prince William attended an Anzac Day service in Auckland and visited a victim of the terror attacks in Starship Hospital.

He then travelled to Christchurch with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, where he visited the mosques that were attacked and met with victims, their families and other members of the Muslim community.

"The costs associated with visits by members of the royal family is something New Zealanders have been broadly accepting of,” a spokeswoman for Ms Ardern said.

Prince William also visited first responders at the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, Christchurch Hospital and the Canterbury National Earthquake Memorial.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the Muslim community was extremely grateful for the visit.