New Zealand taxpayers are forking out about $150,000 for senior police officers to help out at the Olympic Games in London.
The two inspectors, two detective inspectors and a non-sworn member of the National Intelligence Centre are acting as plainclothes "liaison officers" for athletes and the New Zealand High Commission, Fairfax reports.
One is based at the Olympic village, while the others are at the High Commission, rowing at Eton and sailing in Weymouth.
The officers arrived in London on July 7, three weeks before the Olympics began, and four of the men stayed in accommodation costing $516 a night each until July 26, according to documents released under the Official Information Act.
That cost rose to $842 a night from July 27.
The fifth officer, who is based in the Olympic village, had his flights and accommodation paid by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) - which is partly government-funded.
The officers also receive $149 a day for expenses, while their return economy flights cost $3284.40 each.
Four of the officers will return home between August 14 and August 31, while one will stay on for the Paralympic Games until September 12.
The cost adds up to $145,676 - not including the flights and accommodation paid for by the NZOC, or accommodation costs for the Paralympics liaison officer, which are yet to be confirmed beyond August 14.
NZN