KEY POINTS:
Television New Zealand has set aside almost half a million dollars this year to keep its presenters' and reporters' wardrobes looking good.
Figures issued under the Official Information Act reveal a clothing budget of $480,000 for the state broadcaster.
Among those entitled to a share of the pie are:
* Susan Wood (Close Up) $20,000.
* Wendy Petrie (One News) $20,000.
* Paul Henry (Breakfast) $11,000.
* Simon Dallow (One News) $10,000.
* Miriama Kamo (20/20) $10,000.
* Cameron Bennett (Sunday) $8000.
TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said the amount was not excessive and did not divert money from New Zealand-made productions.
"The clothing budgets are paid for from commercial revenue, not production revenue," she said. "These are expected costs as part of the television business. They are completely in alignment with what similar organisations might spend on this facet of business.
"The allocations are not set in stone. If someone needs a new wardrobe, then they may need a bit more. If someone is clearly well-established and everything's lasting well, they might need a bit less."
She said the clothes were cycled so they were worn several times, and when they were discarded, they were given to charities such as Dress for Success, which gives clothes to women who are returning to the workforce.
The individual allowances are less than former TV One newsreader Judy Bailey's $25,000 clothing budget.
Last year, TVNZ paid Bailey more than $9000 after it accidentally sold some of her clothes.
