Motions — New Zealand Sporting Success—Congratulations

I seek leave to move a motion without notice to celebrate our sporting successes over the weekend.

SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.

Hon CHRIS BISHOP: I move, That this House congratulate Team New Zealand, the White Ferns, the Black Caps, the Silver Ferns, the Paddle Ferns, Ally Wollaston, Hayden Wilde, and Liam Lawson on their exceptional sporting performances over the weekend.

As Minister for Sport and Recreation and on behalf of the Government, I would like to congratulate all of these athletes on a phenomenal weekend of sport for New Zealand. It was an epic weekend, one we haven’t had for a long time. The first win, of course, was Emirates Team New Zealand on match point, taking to the water against INEOS Britannia. As everyone knows, I think, Taihoro came out on top, 37 seconds ahead of their rivals. It was an historic moment for New Zealand, the first time any team has won the cup three times in more than 30 years. What an exceptional achievement.

The next sporting victory was the Black Caps, who won the first test against India, just our third win against India in India ever, and our first win in India since 1988—when some members of the House were not born, and I was just five years old. I’d like to pay a special congratulations to the Hutt Valley’s own Rachin Ravindra, Man of the Match, a century in the first innings, helping to chase down the target in the second innings. A great day.

Then, a brilliant game from the Silver Ferns, who took on the Diamonds in the Constellation Cup; 64-50 was the final score, the highest the Silver Ferns have ever scored against the Diamonds in regular time—a fantastic start to what I am sure will be a great series.

Something that didn’t get a lot of attention over the weekend from our media was the Paddle Ferns, our women’s canoe polo team, who were in China. They took out the finals, with a dominant performance against Italy, continuing its long line of excellence in this sport.

Then, of course, we had the White Ferns in the wee early hours of Monday morning, beating South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai, our first world cup since the One Day International Cup back in 2000, in New Zealand, and Wellington’s Amelia Kerr was the star of the show.

To round it out, a terrific weekend for Ally Wollaston, competing in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Denmark—not one but two gold medals, a bronze, and a fourth-placing, the most ever achieved by a single UCI track world champs by a New Zealand rider. Hayden Wilde won the series finale of the World Triathlon Championship in Spain. And there were many other outstanding performances: Liam Lawson, Auckland FC, the Breakers—I could keep going.

To all the athletes who did so well on the world stage this weekend, the House would like you to know, and the Government would like you to know, that New Zealand is very proud of you. To all the coaches, volunteers, family, and friends, thank you for everything you’ve done to help New Zealand shine on the world stage. On behalf of the Government and New Zealanders, we want to congratulate every single one of these outstanding athletes, and I hope you now get to have a brief rest and soak up the victory.

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to support the Government’s motion to congratulate the country’s sporting success over the weekend. Rarely if ever has one period of 48 hours brought so much success and joy across this many sports, and it is destined to be long remembered as perhaps the most glorious weekend in our sporting history. Congratulations to Team New Zealand on once again bringing the America’s Cup back home. I want to acknowledge Peter Burling, his crew, and the aptly named Taihoro, also supported by Ngāti Whātua—so, from my perspective, a sporting victory as well as a cultural one.

Nearly 8,000 kilometres away, the Black Caps won a test match in India for the first time in nearly 36 years, and for only the third time ever. India were heavily fancied to win this game before the Black Caps’ bowling attack got rolling, and eventually skittled India out for 46—their lowest total at home, ever. India did fight back to make the Black Caps bat again, but the Black Caps were not to be denied.

Not to be outdone, the Silver Ferns continued a great New Zealand tradition of beating the Australians. With the world champions arriving on our shores for a three-game series, game one on Sunday was meant to be close but the Silver Ferns put in an incredible performance to beat the Diamonds to 14 goals—a margin they haven’t emulated since 2010.

Speaking of world champions: congratulations—as the Minister’s already mentioned—must go to the New Zealand Paddle Ferns. A dominant victory over Italy and China means this is the second time the New Zealand team has won this particular tournament.

Truth be told, and without wanting to minimise all our other teams’ incredible sporting achievements, this weekend belonged to the White Ferns—what a story. After 10 consecutive losses in the build-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, no one outside of these shores thought they could do it. This was more than just an improbable triumph or a case of a miracle on the pitch. To chalk it up to just that would be a disservice to what they have truly accomplished. This was a team united and driven towards a common goal and shared values: namely hard work, a sound strategy, and a team-first attitude, all done with positivity and a hard-but-fair approach to the game. This success was not just incredible due to the fact that they won but also because of how they won; it should be an inspiration to each and every one of us.

It’s always difficult to single out an individual in a team sport; however, congratulations to Amelia Kerr, who snatched both player of the match and player of the tournament. Congratulations to her and the White Ferns on an achievement that should go straight to the pool room of New Zealand sporting success. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but with the Twenty20 cricket returning to the Summer Olympics in LA 2028, one can’t help but get excited.

A shout out must also go to Hayden Wilde, who won the final race of the year and came third in the World Triathlon series; and Auckland FC, who played in and won their first ever game in an A-League in a sellout Go Media Stadium in Auckland. On behalf of the Labour Party: congratulations to everyone who played their part in what was undoubtedly the most successful weekend ever in the history of New Zealand sport.

It is an absolute privilege to stand here today in the House to acknowledge and celebrate this extraordinary weekend of sporting triumphs for Aotearoa. Our athletes have done us proud across a variety of disciplines, proving that Aotearoa punches well above its weight on the global stage. These sporting achievements not only highlight individual and team brilliance but also showcase the resilience and determination that New Zealand athletes consistently bring to the world stage.

Sport plays a crucial role in shaping Aotearoa’s identity. It teaches us a valuable lesson about the importance of teamwork. Sport’s also a reminder that it’s more than just competition; it builds a sense of belonging and pride for our nation. From grassroots to elite competitions, these wins over the weekend reflect the passion and hard work invested at every level of sport in Aotearoa.

Above all, it showcased the immense talent in women’s sport, with the White Ferns, the Silver Ferns, and the Paddle Ferns all excelling on the world stage. The triumphs of the women’s teams will inspire future generations of young women to see that they belong in sport and they too can achieve greatness. It’s a reflection of the very successful Strategy for Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation established in 2018 by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and sport and recreation Minister Grant Robertson, and we are reaping the benefits now.

Like the others before me, I do want to acknowledge the White Ferns, who stunned the cricketing world by winning their first ever T20 world cup in Dubai. Sophie Devine’s leadership, Melie Kerr’s all-round brilliance, and Suzie Bates’ poise under pressure led us to a 32-run victory over South Africa. It’s a demonstration that grit and belief can turn any situation around. That’s an inspiring victory, and it will give girls across the nation the ability to dream big.

We think about the Silver Ferns bringing their A-game to the netball court, defeating Australia 64 to 50 in the first Constellation Cup match. This is their biggest win over Australia in 14 years. Dame Noeline Taurua’s squad delivered a performance that not only restored pride but also opened the door to reclaiming the Constellation Cup, inspiring generations of netballers to come.

And the Black Caps defeated India by eight wickets in Bengaluru, achieving their first test victory on Indian soil in 36 years. Beating India at home is a monumental achievement in the cricketing world, demonstrating our players can succeed anywhere, under any conditions. The Prime Minister might want to take some lessons after his failure to achieve a free-trade agreement with India.

But the America’s Cup victory—winning the oldest sporting competition in the world—is no small feat, and to do it three times in a row cements New Zealand’s place in sailing history. I’m talking about the America’s Cup, because more than the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei waka, Te Kawau, that highlighted New Zealand’s rich Māori heritage and maritime traditions on the global stage, the outpouring of support from fans and the team’s Māori welcome on their return show the importance of Te Tiriti to our nation.

Let’s not forget the Paddle Ferns, conquering the world championships in Deqing, China, with a 6-1 win over Italy. This is their second world title, their teamwork another great golden moment for Aotearoa.

From cricket fields to netball courts, sailing regattas to canoe polo arenas, these victories are a reflection of New Zealand’s sporting spirit—gritty, determined, and full of heart. We’re proud not only of their trophies and medals but of the stories of resilience, teamwork, and pride behind every win. To our athletes and teams, thank you for representing Aotearoa with such distinction. You have given us all something to cheer for and have reminded us why sport is such a unifying force in our country. You have modelled the value of striving through blood, sweat, and tears to achieve our goals. We in the Greens salute you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I’m proud to take this call on behalf of the ACT Party. We join with New Zealand in being full of immense pride in sharing with the incredible achievements of our national teams and individuals who represented us so well over the weekend across multiple sporting disciplines.

Team New Zealand secured their third America’s Cup victory in Barcelona. The Taihoro flew across the water and amazed the crowds, yet again. Liam Lawson, we know you had to be patient and wait for 18 Formula One weekends, but, boy, was it worth it. Converting a grid 19 start to a ninth-place finish is simply incredible. Our Silver Ferns then stepped up against the world champion Australian Diamonds in the Constellation Cup, delivering their highest ever score against their rivals in regular time: 64-50. The Paddle Ferns: a dominating display in the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in China. That 6-1 victory over Italy wasn’t just a win; it was a clear testimony to all the athletes’ training and hard work. The Black Caps added to our glory with their historic test victory in India, our third ever on Indian soil and our first since 1988—man, that was good.

I would be remiss—and how could we forget the Bay of Plenty Steamers? Their victory in the National Provincial Championship semi-final against Canterbury wasn’t just any win; it was their most significant triumph since claiming the Ranfurly Shield from Auckland back in 2004. The victory and the buzz that has been alive in the Bay of Plenty following the extraordinary season from the Steamers shows that the spirit of rugby in the regions of New Zealand is alive and well.

Our White Ferns capped off this extraordinary weekend by claiming the T20 World Cup in Dubai, their first world cup victory since 2000. Sophie Devine’s leadership and Amelia Kerr’s all-round performance exemplified this fighting spirit that defines New Zealand cricket.

These achievements represent more than just victories, they embody the Kiwi spirit of punching well above our weight and never backing down from a challenge. What a great time to celebrate excellence, and what a great time to recognise it across a diverse area of sporting disciplines. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, thank you. What a sporting weekend. It’s time for congratulations of all our athletes, the coaches present and past—the coaches who helped those athletes to develop over time—the management, the support teams, and the sponsors. I think we can all be—and this is why we have these debates in Parliament—proud, as fellow Kiwis. We are a small country, but we box well above our weight. We’ve already heard about the Silver Ferns, the biggest win over Australia in a very long time, and we wish them well. I think the next game is tonight, so I wish them well for that. The Black Caps, winning for the first time in a test match in India for 36 years. The White Ferns winning the 9th edition of the T20 World Cup.

I specifically want to focus on two other teams: Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ). The “three-peat”, as they say, is now complete. ETNZ has won five of the last nine regattas, and if you look back at it, at least three of the other teams that have won those regattas have also had an important Kiwi presence. I want to congratulate the team, the sponsors who stuck through it with ETNZ through many, many years, but especially to congratulate the boat designers, the team that designed the boats, designed Taihoro, led by a Briton—in this case, Dan Bernasconi—and the boat-building team led by Geoff Senior. Now, the America’s Cup is not just about athleticism, but it’s also very much about design and innovation. New Zealand, through the America’s Cup of the last few decades, has been very much a part of innovation in boat building and also how to present the sport on the TV and other screens.

While we celebrate the support and the sport and the creativity that’s involved here, let’s also remember we also need to back our creativity, our innovation, right across our country, right across our economic performance as well, because if we don’t do that, we’re never going to lift the productivity that we need to lift. If we want to box above our weight in sport, we also need to box at least to our weight in economic performance, because we can do much better there.

Now, I’d also like to say that most of these sports have had significant support from central or local government. And that in a way is why we can all say we’re proud of their performance.

I do want to finish with the Paddle Ferns. The Paddle Ferns, the women’s canoe polo team, the world champions who won the title, as we’ve heard, 6-1 over Italy. But they’ve had to do this the hard way. They’ve had to raise all their own money without local government or central government support. They’ve done their own fund-raising, getting individual sponsors. The parents have supported them as well, and so I think that they deserve a special congratulations. I know they’re a very close team. I know that at least in one round of that, they had to play through illness, and that was the one game that they lost against Germany in the final round of the pool play.

I also reflect that while New Zealand has won this title before, it was very much a different team. It was eight years ago in Poland. And so for most of the players who are there now—in fact, I think for all of the players who are there now—this is their first victory. I just want to particularly congratulate coach Andrew McFadzean and captain Kate Blincoe, a special shout-out to Georgia Wheeler, and the New Zealand Canoe Polo Association for all the work they’ve done—and, I understand, something like 30 parents and supporters, who were apparently the loudest group of supporters in the whole competition, who went to support them. I’d also like to say on behalf of the House, congratulations to the Paddle Ferns.

Kia ora e te Pīka. I’d like to make a short call on behalf of Te Pāti Māori and thank the Minister for Sport and Recreation for bringing this to the House. I think it’s really important that we start the week with something we all agree on.

First of all, I’d like to give huge congratulations to all the athletes involved, their excellence, the excellence and commitment of their w’ānau, the sacrifices and commitments of their wider sporting communities. Just to repeat the names, as we’ve heard today: the Auckland Football Club, who defeated Brisbane Roar by 2 to nil; Team New Zealand, who achieved their historic feat by defending the America’s Cup and becoming the first team to win the competition three times in a row on their waka Taihoro, which was rightly named and blessed by Ngāti W’atua; the Black Caps, which have made history by securing their best wins in nearly 95 years against India on Indian soil, as we’ve all heard—my understanding, the first time in 36 years; the Silver Ferns, who also beat world champions Australia; the Paddle Ferns; the White Ferns’ cricket win, which I understood was probably the real shocker for the weekend, defeating South Africa by 32 runs; Liam Lawson, Formula One, who finished 9th at the Texas Grand Prix; and Hayden Wilde, who I haven’t heard mentioned but also, in triathlon, he won the 2024 World Triathlon Elite Men Champion at the final held in Spain over the weekend.

It definitely shows what our nation is capable of, and a huge mihi to all of those who invest not only time but resources into our sporting fraternity. I unfortunately didn’t get to watch all of them, but I do want to do a little shout-out for our local Ngāti Ruanui sports festival, where there are at least eight disciplines and all the budding little athletes coming forward for some of the successful teams that we heard won in the weekend. Thank you.

Motion agreed to.