The Government has spent nearly $3 million on the Winter Games, which began yesterday in Central Otago.
The Parliamentary Private Secretary for Tourism, Jacqui Dean, says the money comes from the Government's Major Events Fund.
The fourth biennial Winter Games have attracted about 600 athletes who compete in Wanaka, Naseby and Queenstown.
A post-event analysis of the last event, in 2013, by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, showed the event generated a $7 million net economic benefit for New Zealand.
Ms Deans said the Government intends to financially support the games again in 2017.
