The National Council of Women New Zealand Te Kaunihera Wāhine o Aotearoa (NCWNZ) is disappointed that our state-owned broadcaster, TVNZ, is not screening one of the major international women’s sporting events of the year, the 2021 Rugby World Cup, and has instead chosen to screen the T20 International Men’s Cricket Tri-Series live in a competing time-slot.

“This was a golden opportunity to celebrate and showcase a major women’s sporting event hosted in New Zealand, and instead TVNZ has chosen to ignore it and prioritise men's cricket. We are deeply disappointed in this decision," NCWNZ President Dr Suzanne Manning said today.

“Women’s sports have long been relegated to second class status in the media, only accounting for 15% of all sports coverage," Dr Manning pointed out.

“The failure to screen the 2021 Rugby World Cup is further evidence that there needs to be a high-level review of TVNZ’s programming priorities and its commitment to gender equity."

“While ignoring the 2021 Rugby World Cup, TVNZ has chosen to screen a series called Fboy island NZ, which celebrates toxic behaviour from men and glamorises ‘f-boys’ who degrade and exploit women."

"With New Zealand ranked second in the women's world rankings, there is no reason this event shouldn't be afforded the same media coverage as our top-ranking men's sports teams."