Buy a raincoat, PM tells her man in limousine

Jonathan Hunt is again courting controversy as NZ High Commissioner in London after he sat in his limousine for an outdoor Anzac Day service because it rained.

Publicity about his decision comes just days after Prime Minister Helen Clark made clear her displeasure at Mr Hunt's toying with picking up a British pension to supplement his six-figure salary and rent-free London house.

Helen Clark sent a message to Mr Hunt telling him not to apply for the British pension, and now she has advised him to go and buy a decent raincoat.

National MP Murray McCully revealed the latest hiccup for Mr Hunt, which happened as the former Speaker and Education Minister Trevor Mallard attended an outdoor Anzac Day service at Whitehall in London.

It was attended by representatives from around the Commonwealth, but when it began to rain Mr Hunt (he had no coat and umbrellas were not allowed) decided to shelter in his limousine.

He stayed there for the rest of the service, apparently wanting to preserve his dress for a later service at Westminster Abbey.

A spokesman for Helen Clark confirmed Mr Hunt did stay in the car.

She has suggested he buy a coat, particularly given England's reputation for "pluvial conditions".

Last week, it was reported that Mr Hunt had asked British officials about his entitlement to a pension of $125 a week.

As high commissioner, he earns between $125,700 and $162,000 a year, and still collects his $77,000-a-year parliamentary pension.

He was on an MP's salary for 38 years before taking up the political appointment to London just a few weeks ago.

- additional reporting: NZPA