The Community Resilience Fund Phase 2 is part of the Government agency’s NZD265 million (£137 million/$179 million/€152 million) sports recovery package set out in its budget for 2020.

The funding was increased from NZD10 million (£5.2 million/$6.8 million/€5.7 million) after Sport NZ was flooded with applications from sports groups impacted by COVID-19.

Sport NZ said 2,070 regional and local organisations had already received funding to "cover fixed and operational costs" from July 1 to September 30.

"The fund built on the previous Community Resilience Fund Phase One, in which a total of NZD6 million (£3.1 million/$4.1 million/€3.4 million) was awarded to nearly 2,000 clubs and regional organisations to cover fixed costs," said Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin.

"This second resilience fund provided an opportunity for further support, but this time allowing applications of up to NZD25,000 (£12,900 /$16,900/€14,300) to cover both fixed and operational costs.

"The broadening of the eligibility criteria from the previous Community Resilience Fund has meant more organisations were able to apply for support, including applicants that were not affiliated to Sport NZ national partners.

"This has helped a wider range of community organisations to continue to deliver activities and programmes that have a key role in maintaining individual and community health and wellbeing."

New Zealand has been widely praised for its handling of the global health crisis, having recorded fewer than 2,000 cases and 25 deaths.

The sports recovery package includes the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund which offered NZD68 million (£35.1 million/$46 million/€38.9 million) for community-based programmes and projects helping children and young people get active.

Sport NZ also highlighted the Exceptional Systems Support Fund which provided NZD1.88 million (£970,000/$1.3 million/€1.1 million) for 38 organisations including disability providers.

"This investment and the associated initiatives are focused on ensuring that the areas in most need of support across all levels of the system can continue to thrive in the wake of COVID-19," added Miskimmin,

"We have a unique opportunity at this time to support those experiencing immediate pain as a result of COVID-19, while looking beyond the immediate horizon to reimagine how best to deliver play, active recreation and sport for all New Zealanders into the future.

"How and where investment is targeted is something we are working through in collaboration with our current partners and wider stakeholders in the sector. To make the most of this opportunity we need many minds and many voices."