John Key

11 August 2009 - Prime Minister John Key today launched the National-led Government's Kiwisport initiative for young people which will invest $82 million in school sports over the next four years.

Kiwisport will provide $45 million in direct funding to schools over the next four years, with a further $37 million to go into a regional partnership fund for initiatives involving clubs, schools and community groups to support sport for school-aged children.

"Funding for Kiwisport has been provided by the Ministers of Health, Education, and Sport & Recreation identifying savings from social marketing campaigns, websites, and tagged funding programmes," says Mr Key.

"The Kiwisport initiative delivers on the Government's promise to put money directly into the frontline to help more New Zealand children participate in organised sport.

"Schools are a vital catchment area in which we can introduce young New Zealanders to organised sport.

"Sport has undeniable benefits in terms of physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership. Getting more kiwi kids involved at school level can lead to a lifetime of involvement in organised sport.

"This is a good example of putting funds from the back office to the frontline, where it can have much more impact.

"Kiwisport puts the money where it is needed - whether it be directly to schools or via the regional partnership fund to clubs and community organisations - to ensure we have more children participating in sports.

"I look forward to this direct support leading to more New Zealand children getting involved in sport and strengthening the partnerships between schools, clubs and community groups to support sport."