Prime Minister John Key believes the money spent on the Rugby World Cup has been worth it, despite the event losing money.
Ticket sales are now a million dollars short of the target set for the tournament of $268 million.
The event is expected to lose about $39 million.
Mr Key says the final cost to the taxpayer will not be known for sometime yet, but it is likely to be close to that figure.
He says as a marketing and promotional tool for the country, the tournament has been well and truly worth it.
And Mr Key says New Zealanders have thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup, meaning the $39 million is money well spent.
