Coppers head off

The end of Helen Clark's nine years as premier has provided an insight into the secret workings of the prime ministerial police security detail.

The life of a Diplomatic Protection Squad officer, it emerges, is a sterile roster of microwave meals, sleepless nights - and working out on an exercycle for the dreaded day when they may need to intervene in an attempt on the leader's person.

During Clark's tenure as prime minister, the DPS rented a two-bedroom weatherboard house next door to her home in a quiet, tree-lined Mt Eden road.

The police ended their tenancy soon after Clark lost the election, and former owner Minvydas Palubinskas has now sold the house for $555,000.

During their tenancy sensors and cameras were installed and they ran the security operation from one room.

"No one was allowed in that room. They only used the house while Helen Clark was at home," he said.

"I went there on some occasions, but I was never allowed in the security room."

Palubinskas said the DPS did not furnish the whole house.

"They did not sleep there, they didn't have any beds. They had a microwave - to warm up their pies probably - but I don't think they did a lot of cooking. And they had an exercise bike."

He said DPS staff could access Clark's property from the back yard.

They paid market-rate rent during their tenancy.

"No more and no less. They were the best tenants I ever had."

Clark's spokesman Gordon Jon Thompson declined to comment on her present security arrangements.