The neoliberal context and conditions of New Zealand sport

Abstract

This chapter draws upon a globalised and localised sense of a Reaganomic/Thatcherism/Rogernomics type of neoliberalism purchased by the New Right from the 1980s onwards. After a brief discussion of neoliberalism and its precepts, we illustrate the specific ramifications on New Zealand sport by discussing several short cases: (1) the advent of a hegemonic “professional” model for New Zealand Rugby; (2) the instigation of public-private “partnerships” for the creation of funded stadia and venues; (3) the lure of attracting and staging mega-events.