Government seeks pay equity for top female athletes in effort to get equality in sport

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson. Photo credit: Newshub.

The Government's launched a new strategy aiming to get more women into sport. 

The strategy includes aiming for pay equity for top female athletes and a marketing campaign to increase the visibility of women in sport.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said showcasing our female sporting heroes will help drive women and girls' participation in sport. 

"Achieving pay equity for our top female athletes and a new journalism prize for coverage of women's sport will help to raise the profile of our top women athletes," Ms Ardern said.

Ms Ardern said achieving pay equity was likely the most significant move that could be made in gaining equality for women in sport.

Sport NZ will review current processes to "ensure gender and pay equity", and will advocate for pay equity in "partner organisations".

The Government will invest $10 million over the next three years in the strategy.

"A change this big - this important - will take collective effort," Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said. 

"Sport NZ will lead from the front in mobilising and giving momentum to that collective action."

Mr Robertson called for all organisations in the sport and recreation sector to think about how they can help create equality for girls and women.

The focus is on three priority areas: leadership, participation, and value and visibility. 

Newshub.