Sporting codes - including privately owned professional franchises - have received good news, with the Government pledging $265 million over four years to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wellington Phoenix owner Rob Morrison has been driving the fight for their survival and defended the need for taxpayer support.
Two months ago, the A-League football club was flying. Four straight wins had the team on track for their best season ever.
But the pandemic has hit hard and left the club facing a grim reality, says Morrison.
"If you can't play, you don't survive in the end - that's how simple it is. It was weeks, months, certainly not years - and it wasn't the end of this year either, if something didn't change."
After speaking to representatives of other professional franchises, Morrison took it upon himself to contact the Sports Minister and Sport New Zealand to deliver a blunt message.
"If something didn't change and change quickly, we wouldn't have professional sport in New Zealand in the not-too-distant future."
For the NZ Warriors, Government support can make a difference that extends beyond the club.
"There are some key areas that play a major part in the fabric of sport in New Zealand, such as development pathways, the women's game and so forth," said Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"We've really got to concentrate on trying to keep them going in the absence of any additional funding to our club."
Officials remain tight-lipped over exactly how much of the package is set aside for privately owned professional franchises, but they've defended the decision to send taxpayer dollars to private clubs.
"This package is end to end," said Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin. "It's talking about grassroots and elite.
"We're about creating a pathway for people who have aspirations to be part of that, to be elite."
Watch the full story above
