The government will put $10 million into a programme aimed at getting more children in Pacific countries playing sport.
Photo: Photosport
The programme will be delivered over five years in partnership with New Zealand Rugby and Netball New Zealand, and will be used for participation programmes, to provide equipment and facilities as well as training coaches and referees.
Prime Minister John Key made the announcement in Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia, where he has been attending the Pacific Islands Forum.
He said initially it would focus on working with netball and rugby management in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, but he said there was potential to include other sports and countries in the future.
"We're doing so for a couple of reasons, firstly because we know that sport is very important, we want youngsters to have their time used wisely including all the lessons that they do from sport, but also ensuring that the young boys and girls of the Pacific are active."