4. Question No. 4—Sport and RecreationSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Minister for Sport and RecreationQuestion No. 4—Sport and Recreation4. SARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Minister for Sport and Recreation: What support has the Government given to the hosting of the FIFA Women's World Cup?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister for Sport and Recreation): The Government has invested $55 million to ensure a successful co-hosting of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 alongside Australia. Of this around $25 million has been provided to support upgrades at sporting facilities across Aotearoa New Zealand. A further $10 million has been set aside to support a leverage and legacy programme which includes around 50 activities and projects across the country. New Zealand Football has also received funding to help capitalise on the increase of interest in football off the back of the tournament to grow the game here in Aotearoa New Zealand.Sarah Pallett: How has the funding supported the upgrades of facilities at event venues and trading grounds?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well the upgrades have happened in 30 sporting facilities across the country. They include pitch lighting and facility enhancements; unisex changing spaces; and event infrastructure. These upgrades are critical to ensure the success of the tournament but will also benefit local communities football clubs and many different sporting codes that use these facilities for years to come.Sarah Pallett: What support has been provided to leverage the event to create a long-term legacy for New Zealand?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well the decision to invest in this event aligns with the overall Government's Strategy for Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation which aims to grow female participation create new female leaders and raise the visibility of women's sport. The $10 million leverage and legacy programme I mentioned is critical to supporting these outcomes. It includes a broad range of projects that drive benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand in education sport tourism international relations community development business health culture and conservation. Just one example is the GirlBoss programme which is a collaboration between GirlBoss New Zealand and the Ministry of Education to use sport and the event as a platform to encourage young women to explore career pathways in psychology sports science advanced medicine surgery and other related fields.Sarah Pallett: How does the Government's support for the FIFA World Cup align with the Government's women and girls sport strategy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In 2018 the Government launched New Zealand's first ever women and girls in sport strategy with three themes of participation leadership and valuing and visibility. I am proud of the strides that we've made in promoting women's sport across New Zealand in the world. The FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023 is the third of three World Cups that we have hosted for women—the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Rugby World Cup—along with the International Working Group World Conference on Women in Sport. By creating a platform such as this we encourage and inspire women and girls to be involved in sport and these types of events will play a key role in advancing the outcomes of the strategy. I'm looking forward to watching the Football Ferns take on Norway in the opening match at Eden Park tomorrow night and I'm sure all members in the House will join me in wishing the team all the best.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Will we be able to go? Will the House be sitting?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This is a group of wāhine toa who every New Zealander should be proud of. Mr Brownlee I'll give you special leave to join me to go and support the Football Ferns.