The Pacific Games Council has hinted at an expanded role for New Zealand and Australia in future Games.
Athletes from the Trans-Tasman neighbours attended the Games for the first time this month in Port Moresby, competing in weightlifting, sailing, rugby sevens and taekwondo.
New Zealand only sent athletes in two sports but Australia finished sixth overall with 17 gold among a total haul of 47 medals.
Australia won thirteen medals in taekwondo at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, in a total haul of 47 medals. Photo: Supplied
The Executive Director of the Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue, says it was a promising start.
"So they were adding to the equation in terms of the overall medal tally. It made for a very very interesting competition overall. From the Games Council's perspective having Australia and New Zealand here did add value to the Games, and to the competitions, and we're going to look at that programme in our review over the next six months and put some recommendations to the General Assembly next year as to how we move forward on that but I think our first impressions are that it worked quite well".
Andrew Minogue says it would make sense to include New Zealand in the football competition in future tournaments, to avoid having to split up the Pacific Games and Olympic qualifying events.
New Zealand athletes at the Pacific Games opening ceremony in Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ Vinnie Wylie
