All Whites to get Govt Cup funding

The government is coming to the aid of the All Whites football team as they head to the Fifa world cup in South Africa.

Saying that the local campaign was under-resourced, prime minister John Key said Cabinet has decided today to give $300,000 to the campaign.

This would be used for the New Zealand side to hire a temporary media manager because of the expected media interest, to help improve the team's website and to contribute to football leadership programmes for young people to be held around the country.

John Key also congratulated the Phoenix team on the progress they made, saying all New Zealanders were proud of how far they got in putting in a "stellar performance."

He had also left a message for trans-tasman rower Shaun Quincey, congratulating him on his feat.

- NZ Herald staff