Deep divisions over $1000 for a Rugby World Cup game as poverty grows

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Have we gone a bit mad? Or is it all worth it to bring a touch of joy into our lives in tough times? Our moral authorities, as usual, are divided.

About 60,000 people have shelled out $56 million, an average of almost $1000 each, to watch a rugby game at Eden Park on Sunday.

That's seven times the Auckland City Mission's $8 million budget, which assists 250,000 people in a year with food parcels, drug and alcohol and other social services.

Anglican Church social justice commissioner Anthony Dancer says it's "crazy".

"I think we've gone a bit mad," he said.

"Selfishness is the word I'm looking for. Things like this reflect an income gap that is becoming even more clear in this country. These are not normal rugby-loving people."

But Catholic Bishop Pat Dunn said that if people could afford to pay $1000 for seats he hoped they enjoyed it, and everyone else could watch on TV.

"I'm conscious that it's a lot of money, but I'm also very aware of the enjoyment and happiness that the Rugby World Cup has brought to so many people here," he said.

Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson said $56 million would go a long way towards helping the 20 per cent of New Zealand children who are growing up in poverty.

But she also felt the World Cup had brought "a huge amount of good outcomes" by bringing forward public projects that otherwise might not have happened for years.

Oxfam advocacy director John Stansfield said Oxfam could install water supply for a village in Papua New Guinea for half the $1000 cost of an Eden Park ticket.

Auckland University philosopher and theologian Dr Matheson Russell said the world would be a poorer place without great art, great food and great rugby.

"The real question for each fan is this: Is this $1000 ticket part of a life-pattern of indulgent and self-centred behaviour that has little regard for the welfare of others?

"Or is this a cherry on the top of an already meaningful life, a life lived for others, a life of compassion and generosity?"