Value for money?

In the wake of the Urewera 4 verdict, attention is turning to how much the case has cost. The latest estimate? Over $6 million:

Legal aid costs for the Urewera trial are nearing $3 million, with final invoices still to be filed.

When Crown costs are added, the taxpayer will have paid out well over $6m on an unresolved case the New Zealand Law Society describes as the costliest criminal trial in this country's history.

[...]

Not included are police costs for extended surveillance and raids across the country in October 2007.

And those costs will be several million more.

$6 million for a handful of convictions on firearms charges? Doesn't seem like value for money to me.