Olympic medal-winning sports have been given a boost in funding heading into the Los Angeles Games. 

High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) will invest $162.8 million directly into 36 National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) over the next four years through to the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

$40.7 million per annum will go directly to NSOs for their campaigns, high performance programmes and performance pathways. 

Rowing, Yachting, Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling and Para Cycling, and Canoe Racing and Para Canoe are the Podium sports which will receive increased investment - sports that contributed to 16 of New Zealand’s 20 medals won at the Paris Olympics - while Canoe Slalom, Para Waka Ama, Speed Climbing, Tennis, Para Table Tennis, and Gymnastics are among the Aspirational sports which will receive increases. 

Ellesse Andrews, Rebecca Petch and Shaane Fulton celebrate winning Olympic silver in Paris. Photo / Photosport 

Cycling is the biggest winner with an increase of $770,433 to $5,250,000 across the next three years. Rowing remains the biggest benefactor with $6m in funding. 

A number of sports will see their investment remain consistent with the Paris cycle, including Rugby’s Gold Medal-winning Black Ferns Sevens. However, some sports will receive a decrease in investment including Equestrian, Swimming, Triathlon, Hockey, Basketball and Rugby’s All Blacks Sevens. 

Hayden Wilde claimed silver in the men’s individual triathlon while Erika Fairweather reached four finals, finishing just outside the medals in the 400m freestyle. 

Hockey’s funding is the biggest drop, from $2.93m to $1.5m. The Black Sticks women failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics while the men’s team lost all five pool games. 

There are also a number of sports that will not receive investment including Diving, Surfing, Golf, Badminton, E-Sports, and Football. 

Lydia Ko won golf gold in Paris, however, golf only received $38,000 in the last round. 

“We understand that some sports will be disappointed with these decisions, and they were difficult decisions because we had quality presentations from all of the NSOs,” said Steve Tew, HPSNZ director of high performance. 

“It is not a reflection of their work and commitment to their sport. Ultimately, we have a finite amount of money to work with, and we have prioritised those sports with the track record and the highest potential to achieve the desired outcomes at pinnacle events. 

“This was a robust process with a focus on winning medals at the LA 2028 Olympics and Paralympics and other pinnacle events during the cycle. By adopting a four-year investment cycle, HPSNZ has aimed to provide certainty to sports and their athletes as they work towards their pinnacle events.” 

In addition, HPSNZ will invest $22 million per annum in Tailored Athlete Pathway Support (TAPS), a programme of investment to sports which supports the wellbeing and performance of eligible athletes in the high performance system. 

This TAPS investment is made up of $11.9m per year which goes to athletes for financial support, and includes training and excellence grants, and health insurance. 

From 2025 eligible athletes will receive $50,000 per annum as an Elite Training Grant, an increase of $17,500, while the Potential Training Grant will increase by $14,000 to $25,000 per annum. 

The remaining $10.1m will be available for performance support which allows athletes to access health and wellbeing focused performance medicine, nutrition, physiotherapy, performance science and performance life. 

An additional $800,000 per annum is available in a standalone fund for wellbeing initiatives. 

* Core Direct Investment only - Campaign, HP Programme and Performance Pathways Investment for NSOs and Preparation and Gamestime Delivery Investment for Peak Bodies. Excludes Indirect Investment (TAPS Athlete Performance Support) and non-core Direct Investment (TAPS Training and Excellence Grants, Wellbeing and Prime Minister’s Scholarships). 

** Winter Sports Investment - for Snow Sports NZ and Ice Speed Skating NZ - was previously announced in mid-2022 as it began on July 1, 2022 and concludes on June 30, 2026, post the next Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina. While no investment decisions were made for Winter Sports in this investment process, the amounts are included here to paint a full picture of 2025-2028 direct core investment per annum. 

*** Netball NZ investment aligns to their world championship cycle and concludes on December 31, 2027.