Helen happy to foot security Bill

Bill Clinton

Prime Minister Helen Clark says it is entirely appropriate for New Zealand police to foot the security costs of Bill Clinton's visit.

Brushing off criticism of the cost to the taxpayer, Helen Clark said the country was bound to offer protection for a former US President.

"We would not want to be the country known for such lax security procedures that a prominent visitor got hurt in some way on our watch.

"In that sense it doesn't matter what the former President comes for, he will receive the security protection that is deemed appropriate."

Mr Clinton's appearance at Friday's Global Business Forum is expected to earn him hundreds of thousands of dollars, while tens of thousands from the police budget will be spent protecting him.

The Police Association said the visit raised the question as to whether the force should be able to charge for security for private, commercial events. And event organiser Max Markson said he would pay, though "I'd like to see how much it is first".

He said the New Zealand public was not getting a raw deal because reciprocal security arrangements meant other forces and taxpayers from other countries paid for security for visiting New Zealanders, including the Prime Minister.

Police spokesman Jon Neilson said the force would pay, and a bill would not be forwarded to Mr Markson.

Police were funded by the Government to provide a range of services which included security for overseas visitors.

"We are required to provide the level of security we deem appropriate for the visit of a former US President," he said.

Details of Mr Clinton's visit, and the New Zealand police's role in it, remain a closely guarded secret. But the Herald understands he will arrive on Thursday night after an appointment in Melbourne. He is due on stage about 10am on Friday. The total cost of security is not known.

Mr Markson said it was a private visit so what Mr Clinton did after Friday's forum was "his call". He was unable to say when Mr Clinton was leaving New Zealand.

Tickets for Friday's forum at the SkyCity convention centre cost between $1595 and $2400.

Other speakers will include former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner and former Hewlett Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina.

Mr Clinton will speak for about 45 minutes before a question-and-answer session.

He will share the stage with Helen Clark, who said there was kudos in a visit from Mr Clinton.