Auckland sport and recreation organisations will be provided financial assistance after being hit heavily by the latest lockdown caused by the Delta outbreak.
Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said $5.3 million will be used to assist organisations and was being provided through Sport NZ from the $265 million Sport Recovery Package announced in Budget 2020.
“The cancellation of competitions and other fundraising events impact a significant source of income for clubs and regional bodies in the Auckland region,” Robertson said.
“Much of this $5.3 million investment will help with fixed administration and operating costs to help organisations and providers remain viable.”
It comes after the Government announced a new phases system to help Auckland with its prolonged lockdown caused by the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 in the community which slowly will allow social gatherings, such as sport, to return in larger numbers.
However, many sports won’t be able to return until phase three which is yet to have a date confirmed for it.
Robertson said the funding will help in the mean time.
“It will provide some much-needed financial assistance to clubs, regional bodies and whānau across the Auckland region so Aucklanders can continue to maintain their wellbeing through physical activity.”
The new recovery investment is being made via existing Sport NZ partners and comprises up to $3 million for Aktive Auckland Sport and Recreation to support local and regional sport and recreation organisations across the Auckland Region.
Another $1.5 million is available for Recreation Aotearoa to support outdoor education providers experiencing reductions in revenue due to the cancellation of school-group activities at Alert Levels 3 and 4.
An additional $800,000 has been granted for Variety NZ to support tamariki and rangatahi in financial need through the existing Active Me – Kia Tū initiative.
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