February 3, 2017 3:00pm by David Farrar

The PM can’t live in Premier House

It’s illegal for Prime Minister Bill English to live in Premier House, the official prime ministerial residence.

In a quirk of the law, English isn’t allowed access to taxpayer-funded accommodation in the capital – because he’s based there.

Somewhat bizarre that the rules won’t allow the Prime Minister of New Zealand to reside at the official residence of the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

As it happens, he doesn’t want to. He has a family home in Karori and while Premier House is grand, it is somewhat sterile. I’d rather be in my own home also.

If Andrew Little becomes Prime Minister, he’ll also have the same issue – as a Wellington based MP he will be ineligible to live in Premier House.