Taxpayers likely to foot bill for Kim Dotcom's extradition

Kim Dotcom. Photo / Greg Bowker

It appears the taxpayer will be footing the bill for the extradition of Kim Dotcom.

United States authorities are trying to extradite the 38-year-old Megaupload founder and three of his colleagues.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says she can't specifically talk about the case as it is before the courts.

However, she says taxpayers foot the bill for the Crown Prosecutor and the rest of the legal team in extradition cases.

Mrs Collins says we have a reciprocal agreement with the US, so New Zealand pays its own costs.

Likewise, she says when we ask other countries to undertake extradition work for us, they pay.