Ardern JacindaTUESDAY 23 JULY 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.MOTIONSSilver Ferns and Black Caps—Netball and Cricket World Cups 2019Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move a motion without notice and with debate congratulating New Zealand's netball team and cricket team on their outstanding performances in the Netball World Cup 2019 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I move That the House congratulate all the players coaches and support staff of the New Zealand Netball Team—the Silver Ferns—on their victory in the Netball World Cup as well as the Black Caps who made the world cup final for their second consecutive time. On behalf of the Government I want to first acknowledge the world champion Silver Ferns who defeated three-time defending champions Australia 52-51 in a thrilling Netball World Cup final in Liverpool on 21 July 2019. New Zealand last won the world cup trophy in 2003 in Jamaica and the victory completes a massive 11-month turn-round from the ferns under coach Noeline Taurua and her assistant Deb Fuller. Noeline's work in galvanising the team to where New Zealand now stands as world champions has been nothing short of spectacular. The team were the fittest at the tournament and stuck to a game plan and structure that saw them put pressure on opponents throughout the court.It's a team game and there were many notable contributions from the whole team in the final and across the whole squad throughout the tournament. In particular I think we'd all like to recognise retiring defensive legend Casey Kopua who was playing her 112th and final test for New Zealand along with captain Laura Langman and Maria Folau the self-described fossils who provided—that's their words I need to reiterate—exceptional leadership.Their finals success comes just 24 hours after their stirring semi-final win over England again by one point. The semi and final were battles to the end and the ebbs and flows—while stressful for us as the viewing public—were absolutely enthralling as well. It was a fantastic final and we were to find a response every time Australia threatened. The Silver Ferns held their nerve they fought hard and they rightly deserve to be crowned world champions. This team is an inspiration to New Zealanders especially young women for their skill their teamwork and their commitment and let's hope it leads to further support from sponsors and the public to promote and of course fund the team.The Silver Ferns' success builds on a successful couple of weeks for our national sporting teams with the Black Caps reaching the final of the Cricket World Cup 2019 at Lord's. Their journey to the world cup final on 13 July built on their impressive performance in the 2015 world cup which culminated in the final against Australia at the MCG. I want to acknowledge the dedication of the Black Caps' coaching and support staff and their friends and family who've supported each member of the team in the lead up to the Cricket World Cup.The final at Lord's was nothing short of an all-time classic that will not be forgotten by cricket fans worldwide anytime soon. The two teams finished on the same scores after regular play and the subsequent super over leaving the title to be decided on a countback of boundary hits. I know this result will not seem fair to many. The Black Caps may not have won the trophy but they've won the hearts of cricket fans across the world. I'd also like to recognise the standout performance by Captain Kane Williamson in being named the player of the tournament with 578 runs and two wickets.Finally I'd like to reflect on the dignity of the team. They were and are true sportspeople. We have two tremendous teams the Silver Ferns and the Black Caps who have made their country extremely proud—I should add that our shearers have recently also taken out some world championships—and whom I have no doubt in all of their fields have inspired people across the country with their dogged determination to fight to the very end and this House congratulates them.