Tourism directors to pay bill for leaving gift

Taxpayers will no longer have to cough up for the cost of an expensive leaving present for the head of Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) George Hickton, after Prime Minister John Key stepped in.

Mr Key, who is Tourism Minister, blasted the purchase of a Dick Frizzell painting as "excessive expenditure of taxpayer money", The Dominion Post reported.

The painting was believed to have been sold for below $10,000, less what it could have got on the open market.

Now TNZ directors will pay most of the bill, with $2000 picked up by public money.

A spokesman for Mr Key said he acknowledged Mr Hickton's long service at TNZ but the board's choice of gift was "excessive expenditure of taxpayer money".

"[The prime minister] would expect the board members themselves to make a substantial contribution towards the cost. The Government is firm that it does not want a culture of extravagance in Government departments and Crown entities."

TNZ chairman Greg Muir accepted Mr Key's views and agreed it was better the board members pay.

The board had asked Frizzell to commemorate Mr Hickton's "10 years of outstanding contribution" at TNZ.

Frizzell said the "price was right" for the painting and he was delighted with how it was received, knowing Mr Hickton was a fan.

"I do like it when I get a commission where everybody is on song. The idea is received with open arms, the execution is spot on, and the price is right and the client goes bonkers when they unwrap it. It was one of those, it was a thrill."

Mr Muir was paid $58,000 in the past financial year and TNZ directors between $4000 and $25,000. They are Susie Johnstone, Paul Bingham, John Barrett, Glenys Coughlan, Henry van Asch, Malcolm Johns, Jennie Langley and Paul Richardson.

- NZPA