A giant rugby ball used to entice visitors to New Zealand has cost more than $13 million.
But it is money well spent, Tourism New Zealand spokeswoman Suzanne Carter says.
The "100% Pure New Zealand" ball has taken centre stage since 2007 in such locations as the Eiffel Tower, London's Tower Bridge, Tokyo Tower and Sydney's Circular Quay.
It returned to Auckland for last week's opening of the Rugby World Cup.
A document released to the Herald on Sunday under the Official Information Act showed that from 2007 until the end of the tournament, Tourism NZ expected to spend $18.8 million promoting the event and New Zealand as a destination. Of that, $13 million related to costs for the giant ball and the remaining $5.8 advertising the country and its role hosting the event.
Ms Carter said the ball had been "highly successful", providing a unique mechanism to showcase New Zealand.
- Herald on Sunday