The Taranaki Regional Council made a one-off grant of $9.6 million in 2001/2002 towards the development of Stadium Taranaki (Yarrow Stadium).
The grant was provided to the Taranaki Events Centre Trust to redevelop Rugby Park.
Of the funding, $6.4 million will be repaid by 2011/2012 from targeted rates across the whole region.
Under the Taranaki Regional Council Empowering Act 2001 the Council may be involved with services, works or facilities that that are for the recreational or cultural well-being of Taranaki; or that preserve or encourage enjoyment of the physical and cultural heritage of the region.