Budget 2020 is out, and the costs of our Governor-General, paid for entirely by the New Zealand taxpayer, are in.
The Governor-General’s expenses are covered by Vote Prime Minister and Cabinet, as the Governor-General gets all his or her constitutional support through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). The figures reveal that taxpayers spend $9.5m per year on our de facto head of state, the Governor-General.
That’s about the same as an actual head of state.
Here’s the break-down:
Governor-General's Programme PLA (M52)
This appropriation is limited to expenses incurred on the Governor-General's Programme, as authorised by section 13 of the Governor-General Act 2010. $1,500,000
Governor-General's Salary and Allowance PLA (M52)
This appropriation is limited to expenses incurred on the salary, allowance and other payments to the Governor-General, as authorised by section 12 of the Governor-General Act 2010. $500,000
Governor-General's Travel Outside New Zealand PLA (M52)
This appropriation is limited to expenses incurred on the Governor-General's travel outside New Zealand, as authorised by section 14 of the Governor-General Act 2010. $407,000
Government House Buildings and Assets MCA (M52)
The single overarching purpose of this appropriation is maintaining the Government House buildings and related assets in Wellington and Auckland to the standards necessary to fulfil their constitutional, ceremonial and community roles. $2,962,000
Support Services to the Governor-General and Maintenance of the Official Residences
This category is limited to financial, administrative, communications and advisory services for the Governor-General; and services to maintain the Governor-General's residences. $4,179,000*
Total: $9,548,000
In contrast, the President of the Republic of Ireland spends (according to their 2019 budget) €4.5 million, which is $8.7m in New Zealand dollars - so about the same.
*This is based on the 2019 budgetary figures, as the specific amounts have been combined into a single entity.