New Zealand Swimming Faces Major Funding Cuts Just Ahead of LA 2028 Games

In a setback for the sport of swimming in New Zealand, the country’s High-Performance Sport Organization (HPSNZ) revealed a 40% decrease in funding over the upcoming four years.

Per the direct investment document for 2025-2028 published last month, Swimming New Zealand’s funding will drop from $1,675,334 NZ$ ($934,333 USD) in 2022-2024 to $1,000,000 NZ$ ($558,000 USD) in the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Swimming isn’t alone in facing budget cuts; HPSNZ also indicated that after thorough evaluation and moderation according to its investment guidelines, equestrian, triathlon, hockey, basketball, and rugby’s All Blacks Sevens will experience a reduction as well.

HPSNZ Director of High Performance, Steve Tew, expressed, “We recognize that some sports will feel disheartened by these resolutions, and they were challenging choices due to the excellent proposals we received from all the NSOs (national sporting organizations).

“This does not diminish their efforts and dedication to their respective sports. Ultimately, we operate with a limited budget, and we have prioritized those sports that have a proven history and possess the highest potential to attain the desired outcomes at major events.

“This was a thorough process with a focus on securing medals at the LA 2028 Olympics and Paralympics as well as other significant competitions throughout the cycle. By instituting a four-year investment timeline, HPSNZ aims to offer certainty for sports and their athletes as they strive for their peak competitions.”

Furthermore, HPSNZ’s report outlines a $22 million yearly investment in the Tailored Athlete Pathway Support (TAPS) program designed to enhance the well-being and performance of qualified athletes within the high-performance framework. This initiative is expected to benefit New Zealand’s elite athletes such as Erika Fairweather and Lewis Clareburt.

Qualified athletes will be granted an annual TAPS training subsidy, which can be secured for the entire duration of the pinnacle event cycle, such as the 2028 Olympic Games, providing increased certainty and financial backing.

Moreover, athletes eligible for Elite and Potential TAPS grants will also receive fully funded medical coverage and have the opportunity to apply for the Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships.

HPSNZ’s report additionally specified the proposed medal targets for forthcoming major sports events:

• Proposed medal targets – LA 2028 Olympics 14-18 medals and Paralympics 9-14 medals, along with 10+ medals at World Championships across non-Olympic and Paralympic events. Commonwealth Games targets are still to be determined. A review of these targets is scheduled for December 2025.

At the 2024 Olympic Games, Clareburt reached the final in the men’s 400m IM, finishing in 6th place. Fairweather claimed 4th in the women’s 400m free, 7th in the 200m free, and 8th in the 800m free, while the women’s 4x200m free relay secured 8th place in Paris.