By FRANCESCA MOLD
A giant pair of bronze arches gifted to Australia as a war memorial has cost New Zealand taxpayers almost $2 million more than estimated.
Prime Minister Helen Clark unveiled in April the 11.5m bronze arches erected near the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
The sculpture - modelled on the handles
of a flax kete - was described as a powerful reminder of the strong relationship between the transtasman neighbours stretching back to Gallipoli 86 years ago.
Yesterday it was revealed the project's cost had doubled in the two years since it was announced, forcing the cabinet to approve an extra $2 million at a meeting last September.
In response to parliamentary questions from National MP Belinda Vernon, Helen Clark said the initial estimate for the memorial was $1.7 million, based on a quantity surveyor's report.
"This report proved inaccurate when the work was tendered," she said.
The Prime Minister's office was yesterday unable to answer further questions about the extra costs.
Ms Vernon said she was concerned at the Government's lack of openness about its spending.
"There may be a justifiable explanation, but just saying the surveyor's report was inaccurate is an inadequate response."
