A true story ... in the early 1970's the GOTD first considered acquiring small business jets solely for VIP work to replace the VIP C-47 Dakota's of the time. So two small jets (such as HS125's or Falcon 20's) plus a single B737 for troop lift were being suggested. The then Prime Minister of the day Norman Kirk (and the Labour Party's last "working man" leader, who even built his own
house when younger ... and before lawyers then the "professional managerial class" took over in later years) wouldn't have a bar of such extravagance especially when a Dakota was a lot better than his earlier modes of transport.
Fast forward to the 2010's the GOTD (John Key's National Party) considered acquiring a small business jet to complement the even then troubled B757's ... but again didn't go through because of perceived public backlash about politicians spending on "vanity" projects.
Personally myself I wouldn't class today's replacement of the B757's with A321's as a "vanity" project when their primary role is troop lift (apparently only "about 12 to 15 percent of its flying hours are used for VIP transport" according to the
RNZAF).
I would though endorse a "vanity" business jet for smaller VIP missions (why waste a larger 757/A321 airliner when needing to transport a handful of VIP's on some occasions?), as it also means the larger 757/A321 will always be available for troop transport and at short notice too. And as a genuine replacement for the former VIP configured Dakota's and later HS Andover's that were never replaced in that role. Plus it could double-up as a multi-engine trainer for those moving into the larger jet operations. And simply because I think we as Kiwi's need to get over our notion of being "not worthy" as per the examples above! Win-win-win-win, surely ...