Rugby Cup VIPs may get limos on the taxpayer

Photo / Supplied

The sale of a fleet of luxury Government cars could be delayed so overseas dignitaries can use them during the Rugby World Cup.

Thirty-four new BMW 7 series limousines, worth more than $200,000 each, are to arrive in New Zealand between June and August to replace the three-year-old fleet now in use.

But the Government has indicated some of those older cars could be retained for the use of VIPs and overseas dignitaries during the tournament starting in September.

It will not name those VIPs and dignitaries, but it has been speculated that Prince William and Prince Harry are on the guest list.

The Department of Internal Affairs said it was considering using the older vehicles as part of its Rugby World Cup Guest of Government programme.

"Dependent upon the number of guests and programme timings, we will consider using contracted services or the delayed disposal of some current fleet vehicles if our own resources are insufficient to meet requirements," a spokesman said.

The original announcement that the three-year-old cars were to be replaced caused outrage and led to claims that taxpayers were footing the bill for Government luxury during a time of austerity.

Details of how much retaining the cars for a further five months would cost were unavailable.

Last night a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said John Key was "aware that there is a possibility that some of the current VIP fleet could be retained for use during the Rugby World Cup".

She said the limousines were not exclusively for ministers, and were used by VIPs and visiting dignitaries.

Details of the new limousine deal are confidential, but BMW said it was for a model not usually available in New Zealand, the BMW 730Ld.

The next model down, the BMW 730d SE, has a recommended sale price of $203,500.

The 730Ld has extra leg room for rear-seat passengers. The newer model also has 20 per cent better fuel efficiency than the 2007 model, and lower carbon emissions.

Labour's Internal Affairs spokesman, Chris Hipkins, said the Government should keep the current fleet and cancel the new order.

"There is nothing wrong with the old ones, they are only three years old."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES