Cricket: Government compensates for cancelled tour

The government also tried to call off the Black Caps' August tour to Zimbabwe. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

The Government is paying New Zealand Cricket $406,000 compensation for the cancelled tour by Zimbabwe, Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has announced.

The planned tour to New Zealand in December was called off after the Government decided to withhold visas for the Zimbabwe players.

"We decided the tour was not appropriate given the Zimbabwean Government's continuing human rights abuses," Mr Mallard said.

"The Labour-led Government made an important stand over this tour in order to send a strong message to Robert Mugabe's government over its appalling human rights record and continuing abuse of democratic principles."

Mr Mallard said NZ Cricket approached the Government over financial losses it suffered because the tour was called off.

"It is only fair that we now compensate New Zealand Cricket," Mr Mallard said.

- NZPA