It might cost less than a box of beer, but Aucklanders are baulking at forking out.

Every household in New Zealand's biggest city is being asked to chip in $NZ23 to fund a $NZ7 million ($A5.48 million) funding shortfall for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

And while some are complaining they don't want to pay because they don't have the money to spare in a recession, others have a more sensitive motivation.

"We're going to lose the cup to Australia anyway so where is the value for money in that?" one disgruntled Aucklander told Radio New Zealand.

"We're just pouring in money and there'll be another bloody loss."

When you dig beneath the surface, it's not hard to find a Kiwi that's sore about the state of their national game and the prestigious competition.

The All Blacks (along with the country's 34 million fleecy friends) have put this nation on the world map and their pride and passion for the game is internationally renowned.

So it's not so surprising that repeated losses since the inaugural competition - the 1987 championship hosted by Australia and New Zealand - is hurting the collective ego.

Debate is heated about whether the Kiwis will be able to win it back after 24 years. While many argue that this is the country's big chance to snatch back the crown with the ever-valuable home team advantage, others are not convinced.

"It could be just about time to give up, or maybe you give up when you're past quarter of a century?" joked one rugby fan, who said the extra household fee was "a pinch on a bruised piece of skin".

"We've got a recession, we haven't seen the trophy in decades and now we have to pay more for the chance to get it back.

"It's all a bit embarrassing really."

Meanwhile, Auckland's mayor John Banks is telling residents to be good sports and cough up the payment "for the collective good".

"It's an investment regardless of whether we win or lose," Bank told the radio station.

"We need to remember that."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP