Robertson GrantMOTIONSBlack Ferns—CongratulationsHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Acting Prime Minister): I seek leave to move a motion without notice to congratulate the Black Ferns on their Rugby World Cup victory.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course being taken? There appears to be none.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I move That this House congratulate the Black Ferns on winning their sixth Rugby World Cup title.On behalf of the Government I want to acknowledge and congratulate the Black Ferns on their outstanding 34-31 win over England in the final. Their triumph on Saturday night at Eden Park is I believe one of New Zealand's greatest sporting moments. This has been recognised across the world; international media have dubbed this the best World Cup final in history.I also believe that beyond the team's success at the World Cup itself the Black Ferns have put women's sports on the front page and have inspired young people—especially young girls and young women all around the country—to play sport and be physically active.The final itself was an extraordinary game. It was a privilege to watch it at a sold-out Eden Park. The atmosphere was electric; and following on from the nail-biting semi-final the week before it was another rollercoaster of emotions—a high-quality display of skills and athleticism in a pressure cooker environment from both teams. I want to acknowledge the England team for their superb display not just in the final or even in the tournament but in their 30-match unbeaten run that they had coming into the final.The outpouring of emotion at the ground and in pubs clubs and homes all around New Zealand showed just how much the performances of the Black Ferns have brought our nation together. As the Prime Minister has said: rugby has always been thought of as our national game but the Black Ferns have made it a game for everyone.I want to acknowledge the whole Black Ferns squad in particular co-captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon. This is not only a team of extraordinary athletes they express themselves as great people connected to each other and their whānau and communities and as proud New Zealanders. The last year has been enormously challenging for the Black Ferns and to come through and win this tournament is a testament to the character resilience and wairua of a group of wāhine toa. We salute them one and all.The Black Ferns are the first to say that they stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before them. I too want to acknowledge previous Black Ferns who have kept the flame alive when they did not have the support resources and recognition they deserve. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. To the team management—and in particular the coaches: the Professor Wayne Smith; Wesley Clarke; and Whitney Hansen—the heartfelt thanks of a nation.I'd also like to congratulate retiring halfback and general organiser Kendra Cocksedge on an outstanding career being the most capped Black Fern and winning her third Rugby World Cup medal and to Renee Wickliffe who also retires after a stellar career for the Black Ferns.I want to acknowledge the organising committee of the Rugby World Cup especially chair Dame Julie Christie chief executive Michelle Hooper and their team on an exceptional event. I want to make a special acknowledgement of the hundreds of volunteers who worked to make sure that this tournament ran so well.We are proud of this team paving the way for women's sport in Aotearoa proving that yet again it is something that we must support in further development. The Government is proud to have supported the tournament alongside New Zealand Rugby and to have invested to the tune of nearly $20 million in the tournament. We are also proud to have developed the first ever women and girls in sports strategy. That strategy gives us the long-term plan to give opportunities for young women and girls to participate lead thrive be seen and be heard when it comes to sport and recreation.Finally I want to challenge all of us to find a way to build on the legacy of this tournament; to support sport and recreation opportunities for women and girls in our communities and at the elite level. This is a turning point for women's rugby and women's sport in New Zealand and we will not let it go to waste. So once again congratulations to the Blacks Ferns—Rugby World Cup champions—and as Ruby Tui has said It's just the beginning baby."SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to."