2. Question No. 2—Sport and RecreationSORAYA PEKE-MASON (Labour) to the Minister for Sport and RecreationQuestion No. 2—Sport and Recreation2. SORAYA PEKE-MASON (Labour) to the Minister for Sport and Recreation: Tēnā koe e te Mana Whakawā. I am delighted to stand here to deliver my first question to the honourable Minister for Sport and Recreation. What support has the Government provided for the Women's Rugby World Cup?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister for Sport and Recreation): It will be four years ago on the weekend from when New Zealand Rugby backed by the Government won the rights to host the Women's Rugby World Cup. The Government has invested $16.9 million in this event. That includes $4.6 million from the Major Events Fund to support the delivery of the tournament a further investment from the Major Events Fund and Sport New Zealand of $1.7 million to deal with COVID-related costs and nearly $10 million from Sport New Zealand to upgrade the facilities that athletes are using which will be now a legacy for all New Zealanders.Soraya Peke-Mason: What are the economic and social benefits of hosting the tournament?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The tournament and the international broadcast and media attention that come with that has raised the profile of women's sport and women's rugby and showcased New Zealand as a destination. It shows that we are a country open to the world and events. The tournament has also had spin-off benefits for a range of sectors particularly in Auckland and Whangārei including accommodation and transport providers tourism operators and hospitality venues. Hosting an international event is also a great experience for volunteers security personnel and cleaning and catering staff with other major events coming to New Zealand such as the FIFA Women's World Cup next year. The tournament has also enormous social benefits. The legacy that this will leave for women's sport and women's rugby is enormous and I want to acknowledge that it is built off decades of hard mahi by others in women's sport including former Black Ferns.Soraya Peke-Mason: How can the success of the tournament be measured?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Interest in the tournament has attracted over 140000 fans across Auckland and Whangārei the most for any Rugby World Cup. The final between the Black Ferns and the England team will take place in front of a record crowd of over 40000 at Eden Park on Saturday. The performances the Black Ferns and the other teams have performed here have attracted large TV audiences and unprecedented levels of media and broadcast coverage. The manner and style of play have conveyed the joy and camaraderie of playing the game and that too is a measure of success. But the real success of this tournament will be through its legacy and in inspiring girls and boys to be physically active and know that when they play and when they succeed it will be seen and it will be valued by all New Zealanders.Soraya Peke-Mason: How does the support of the Rugby World Cup fit with the Government's women and girls in sports strategy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In 2018 this Government launched New Zealand's first ever women and girls in sport strategy with three themes: participation leadership and value and visibility. I am proud of the strides that we have made in promoting women's sport across New Zealand and across the world. Events such as the Rugby World Cup fit in all three of those themes and the valuing and visibility I believe that has come from this Rugby World Cup is a turning point for women's sport and women's rugby in New Zealand. Mr Speaker I am sure you'll indulge me and the rest of the House would support me in wishing the Black Ferns all the best for this weekend. We are so proud of your achievements. We know that this final represents an amazing journey over the last year. This is a group of wāhine toa who every New Zealander should be proud of. Go the Black Ferns.