Stewart singalong costs taxpayers $1m
An America’s Cup event that included a singalong with Rod Stewart has cost taxpayers nearly $1 million.
On March 13, a video version of Stewart’s 1975 hit Sailing was played at America’s Cup fan zones as part of Rock the Dock.
The four-minute singalong ended an hour-long show from the main stage at the America’s Cup village.
It was hosted by TV personality Clarke Gayford, who is also the partner of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Gayford interviewed the 76-year-old rocker following the singalong.
An Official Information Act request was lodged regarding how much taxpayer money was used to fund Stewart’s performance.
Tourism New Zealand refused to share his fee citing commercial sensitivity.
Director Tony Rogers did, however, share that the total cost of hosting the event was $918,000.
‘‘This includes Sir Rod’s fees, marketing and promotional budget and production costs associated with the event.’’
Part of the marketing and promotional budget was used for newspaper ads, including some run by Stuff’s titles.
Rogers said Tourism New Zealand is promoting the country as part of the ‘‘Do Something New, New Zealand’’ campaign.
‘‘To maximise the impact to the New Zealand economy of hosting the America’s Cup, businesses and government agencies are running a programme of events and activities to lift New Zealand’s profile internationally,’’ Rogers said.
‘‘Rock the Dock was part of our leveraging activity that brought New Zealanders together in a show of support for the teams and their fans around the world who are unable to be here.’’
Rogers said Stewart was chosen for the event as he has global appeal and a ‘‘strong connection’’ to New Zealand, given two of his children are Kiwis through his 17-year marriage to Auckland model Rachel Hunter.
Tourism NZ said Gayford was not paid for his participation in the event.
A representative of the Taxpayers’ Union said the organisation had been left ‘‘dumbfounded’’ by Tourism New Zealand’s decision to spent $918,000 on the event. Spokesman Louis Houlbrooke said taxpayers have been ‘‘shafted’’.