An attempt by a New Zealand lawmaker to create a public holiday to mark the achievements of the country's team in the World Cup team has been rejected by the nation's parliament.
Labour Party minister Trevor Mallard tried to introduce a bill that would have created a public holiday after New Zealand's final group match against Paraguay on Thursday.
The All Whites can seal their place in the last 16 with a win, and even a draw may be good enough.
The game will be shown in the early hours of the morning in New Zealand and Mallard said loyal football fans deserved a day off as a reward for supporting their team.
However, government members opposed the introduction of the bill and it was thrown out of the house in barely 15 seconds.
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