Grant Robertson says Government will back NZ's bid to host Women's Rugby World Cup

HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGES

Kendra Cocksedge, left, Lesley Ketu and Selica Winiata with the Women's Rugby World Cup trophy.

The Government will contribute money to New Zealand's bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup, but how much will depend on discussions with New Zealand Rugby.

New Zealand is one of six countries to bid to host the world cup in 2021 and Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said he saw winning the hosting rights as a priority.

"There are a number of other major women's sports event that are on the horizon for New Zealand to host potentially but the women's World Cup is one that would be very attractive for New Zealanders to support and be a part of," he told Radio New Zealand.

Robertson said he had had some preliminary discussions with NZR about government support.

"We are yet to see their full proposal, but I'm very happy to sit down with the rugby union and work out what level of contribution from the government is needed," he told RNZ.

The bidding countries - Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Portugal and Wales - have until mid-August to submit their bids to World Rugby. The winner is expected to be known by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Robertson has appointed three new board members to the Sport New Zealand board. They are former Black Ferns captain and university lecturer Farah Palmer, former Netball NZ chairwoman and lawyer Raewyn Lovett and Wellington-based investor and founder of technology start-up companies, Rowan Simpson.

Former Treasury deputy secretary Bill Moran, who has been on the board since 2016, is the new chairman, replacing Sir Paul Collins, who has been on the board since 2009.

Darrin Sykes, Jason Shoebridge, Hilary Poole and Kylie Clegg are the other board members. Those stepping down with Collins are Paul Cameron and Jackie Barron.