$90m in Budget for sport

The Government is promising to boost New Zealand's under-performing sports community with more than $90 million over the next five years.

The Budget revealed that spending will increase by $2 million in each of the next two financial years, $20 million in 2003-2004, $30 million in 2004-2005 and up to $40 million in 2005-2006 and the following years.

The funding follows the publication in January of a taskforce report on sport, fitness and leisure.

The report recommends the integration of the Hillary Commission and the Sports Foundation into a new body called Active NZ, and more involvement in physical education for school pupils.

Sports, Fitness and Leisure Minister Trevor Mallard said he hoped the money would also increase national pride in our sporting achievements.

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