As part of Budget 2008, the government has announced a major program of upgrades for Government House in Wellington. The Dominion Post puts the figure at $46.6 million, with $6.7 million set aside for the first phase. Meanwhile, the Governor-General has moved to the Hutt valley, and has knocked Jim Anderton out of Vogel House. The Hutt City Council is happy.

The Budget also gives us an idea of the cost of the office of Governor-General to the taxpayer. According to the Vote Prime Minister and Cabinet estimates (the Governor-General's office comes under the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, which shows you how much of a check they are) the Governor-General gets $3.5 million worth of "advice" and support for himself and Government House, $1.1 million for his tax-free salary, allowances and travel, $0.75 million on depreciation costs plus the $6.7 million on renovating Government House. Without the renovations, the Governor-General would cost the taxpayer $5.35 million. With renovations added, that's a grand total of $10.95 million.

As a comparison, the latest Irish budget (table four, "President's establishment") puts the cost of the President of Ireland at 3.5 million Euros, or $6.7 million New Zealand dollars at today's exchange rates. The small difference in cost between the President of Ireland and our Governor-General is probably due to the greater constitutional responsibilities of the President than our Governor-General (while the President remains a figurehead above politics).