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New Zealand's Olympic flags signed by fans and well wishers at the Athletes Village. - Source: Photosport -
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Police are defending the $150,000 cost of sending five officers to London to help New Zealanders at the Olympic Games.
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 until August 14.
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.
But Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says the cost is money well spent.
"You can't put a price on ensuring the safety and welfare of Kiwis at a major event like the Olympics," he said.
Mr Marshall says a fire in an outdoor BBQ area at the Kiwi House fan zone overnight which forced the evacuation of 300 people proves why the officers are needed.
"Two New Zealand police liaison officers were quickly on the scene to assist local emergency services and ensure that all Kiwis caught up in this event were safe and accounted for."
He said police have been deployed to previous Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and are deployed each year to annual Gallipoli commemorations.
Police had done their best to keep the cost down, but it was inevitable it would be high.