High performance parity initiatives announced for Para athletes

New Zealand's Sophie Pascoe celebrates with a gold medal won at the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Paralympic movement took another step towards diversity and inclusivity last night.

Para-athletes will now earn the same as their Olympic counterparts regarding performance enhancement grants.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement at a gala dinner celebrating Paralympics New Zealand's 50th anniversary as a national committee.

The agreement will see Paralympic and Olympic medallists supported equally through direct financial grants to enable them to train full time, in order to maximise their international performance.

Previously grants to Olympians could be up to $20,000 more. The maximum taxable PEG for a world champion is $60,000.

Parity had already been achieved in the areas of Prime Minister's scholarships and athlete performance support.

"Since the Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games, there has been amazing public support for our Paralympians, and this announcement further illustrates how critical these athletes are to the New Zealand sporting community and how they are equally valued," PNZ Chief Executive Fiona Allan said.

"Our Para athletes are incredible role models that have inspired Kiwis to think differently about disability."