Rugby World Cup 2015: Taxpayers won't mind footing finals bill for ministers, says Bill English

Investigative Reporter·NZ Herald·

26 Oct, 2015 10:03 PM3 mins to read

Kieran Read and Richie McCaw sit with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in the dressing room after the All Blacks' sem-finals win. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealanders won't mind footing the bill for the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister to be in London during the Rugby World Cup final, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

Whatever the result early on Sunday morning, New Zealand politicians will be watching from Twickenham's stands.

Prime Minister John Key will be in attendance, having already had a beer with the All Blacks after the semi-final, as will Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman, who also attended the closely-fought win over South Africa.

John Key with his wife Bronagh at Twickenham for the World Cup semi-final. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Labour leader Andrew Little has also made the trip to London for the game - but unlike Mr Key and Dr Coleman he will cover all his expenses while there.

Mr English told TV One's Breakfast that New Zealanders were getting value for money from his colleagues' travel.

That was because they were attending a wide range of other events and meetings while in Europe, and not just the rugby.

"I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game. Do you think we should stay home because we can't afford it?" Mr English said.

"The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that's why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising."

Dr Coleman will speak at a UNESCO Conference on sports doping in Paris and will have a range of health-related meetings in London.

Mr Key has chaired a meeting of the International Democratic Union in Marrakesh. In Brussels he will meet with the President of the European Council and European Commission.

The trip will focus on starting free trade negotiations with the EU, which has recently decided to move on FTAs with New Zealand.

In London, Mr Key will meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Her Majesty the Queen. Mr Groser will be joining Mr Key in Brussels and London.

Education Minister Hekia Parata is now back in New Zealand, having attended the All Blacks' quarter and semi final. She was in Europe for an OECD education summit.

A spokeswoman for Dr Coleman said her understanding was that tickets to see the All Blacks were provided by tournament organisers, and other trip expenses covered by the Government.

There has been an unusually close link between the All Blacks and politicians this RWC, after NZ Rugby asked to have the team naming hosted at Parliament.

Last week Mr Key warned taxpayers to brace themselves for high ministerial hotel bills in the next expense release, because of the "huge" cost of hotel rooms in London during the RWC.

He will be hoping the All Blacks win this weekend, having made a bet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that the leader of the losing country will wear a tie in their Anzac rival's colours in Parliament during question time.