The budget for the multimillion-dollar restoration of Government House is to be scaled back.
Prime Minister John Key says he was concerned at the project's $47 million price tag and sought official advice on how to cut costs.
Mr Key says some aspects were able to be deleted without compromising the critical element of restoring the main house. They include the proposed visitors' centre, work on outer buildings and roading and carparking infrastructure.
He says on that basis, the budget has been trimmed by 10% - a saving of $4.7 million.
Governor-General Anand Satyanand has been party to the discussions and is comfortable with the changes to the project, Mr Key says.
