Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals' visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
Friday, 26 October 2018
Nearly half of Kiwis believe the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to New Zealand is a bad use of taxpayer money.
According to a 1News Colmar Brunton poll, 48 per cent of those polled thought the trip, which is costing about $1 million, was a bad use of taxpayer money.
Twelve per cent of those polled were undecided, and 39 per cent believed it was a good use of taxpayer money, TVNZ reported.
It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan prepare to touch down in New Zealand on Sunday.
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Pacific people, those aged between 18-34 and people from Otago/Southland were more likely to think the visit was a bad use of money, according to the 1News Colmar Brunton poll.
Kiwis aged 55 and over, National Party supporters and high-income households were more likely to think it was a good use of money, according to TVNZ.
More than a thousand eligible voters were surveyed for the poll.
From Sunday, Prince Harry and Meghan will visit Wellington before heading to Abel Tasman National Park, Auckland and Rotorua.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will greet the public between 4.45pm and 5.30pm at the capital's Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Te Aro, in what will be the couple's only public appearance in Wellington.
The royal couple will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and visit the new UK War Memorial beforehand.
'Harry and Meghan will be one of the most popular royal couples to visit Wellington and I am sure thousands will be keen to see them up close,' Wellington Mayor Justin Lester said.
'I know many New Zealanders are looking forward to welcoming the Duke and Duchess back to Aotearoa, their first time here together,' said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a statement earlier this month.
'The Duke and Duchess have a particular interest in youth, mental health and conservation, and they will have the opportunity to meet many New Zealanders working in those important areas, while also getting to enjoy some of our unique environment,' she said.
The couple will get to sample some delicious Kiwi kai as well, with Government House head chef Simon Peacock ready for anything, with a mostly plant-based menu on the go, featuring Horopito chocolate, blue cod and HP sauce.
'If they want a cheese toastie, I'll make sure it's the best cheese toastie they've ever had,' Peacock said.
ROYALS' NZ TOUR
Sunday 28th October: Wellington, New Zealand
Monday 29th October: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand
Tuesday 30th October: Auckland, New Zealand
Wednesday 31st October: Rotorua, New Zealand