New Zealand Executive Government News Release Archive

The Prime Minister, Rt Hon J B Bolger, today announced $4 million new funding for high performance sport.

"This will further help New Zealand's leading sports people, not only the international names such as equestrian Mark Todd, but rising stars like cycling's Sarah Ulmer and yachting's Hamish Pepper."

Mr Bolger also announced details of the new look New Zealand Sports Foundation which will co-ordinate the funding and management of high performance sport.

The New Zealand Sports Foundation would now provide a "one-stop shop" for New Zealand's top athletes, he said.

"This is great news for sport and will further encourage our leading athletes as they focus on future international events, such as the Sydney Olympics."

The revamped New Zealand Sports Foundation unites the best features of the existing Sports Foundation and the high performance unit of the Hillary Commission, as well as including representatives from the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.

The new organisation is the culmination of work started by the New Zealand 2000 Task Force set up by the Prime Minister in 1994 when Sydney won the bid to host the 2000 Olympics. The Task Force recommended a review of high performance
sport to ensure New Zealand's success at the Sydney Games and other international sporting contests.

The Prime Minister explained it has been decided to keep the New Zealand Sports Foundation name because of its high public awareness and the existing organisation's strong relationship with the corporate sector which is already doing so much to
support New Zealand sport.

Mr Bolger said sport played a major role in the life of New Zealanders, be they players or spectators.

"New Zealanders have a strong sense of pride in our sporting heroes. When they win in the international arena, we all share the glory. And importantly our young people are motivated to participate and aspire to be the best.

"There is no doubt that a high international profile in sports contributes to the positive profile of New Zealand generally. Our sporting heroes both inspire and encourage and in many ways become ambassadors for our country," Mr Bolger said.

He said there was still an important role to be played by the corporate sector.

The additional $4 million in the forthcoming Budget adds to the $7.6 million the Hillary Commission allocates to high performance sport and the $3.1 million the existing Sports Foundation receives by way of corporate financial support.

Mr Bolger said it was now up to New Zealand corporates to join with the Government and further support the new organisation.

He thanked the members of the transition committee for the work they had done in putting the new organisation in place. "They have done an excellent job bringing our sports bodies together in a way which will benefit New Zealand's sporting greats".

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