PM hints at state cash for yachts

Current Cup campaign has revived Kiwis’ interest, says Bill English

Prime Minister Bill English is making encouraging noises about future government funding for Team NZ, saying this campaign has restored New Zealanders’ interest.

English called the campaign “an outstanding display of leadership, teamwork and technological mastery”.

“Kiwis’ interest in it has fluctuated a bit. I think this competition has restored the sense it is about a couple of teams who aren’t dominated by the lawyers and financiers, but actually real sport. And that’s what I think has got New Zealanders back to watching it.”

However, he was in no hurry to get out the chequebook in anticipation of hosting the event, or to give Team NZ an assurance the Government would help stop key team members being poached.

“Like anyone else, we don’t want to jinx it by getting ahead of ourselves. I think the first discussion would be about how to celebrate it.”

Asked if he was open to putting money into hosting the event in New Zealand or Team NZ’s campaign, English said it would be discussed later.

“If we win, I imagine there will be some sort of discussion but I have no idea what that discussion will be.”

There are already reports of likely attempts by rivals to poach Team NZ crew — from the sailors to designers.

After the 2013 Cup, the Government put in $5 million to keep Team NZ together until it decided whether to mount another challenge. No further taxpayer funding was put in — and no government ministers went to Bermuda for the races.

Labour’s Trevor Mallard is the sole MP there — he was Sports Minister in the Labour Government that committed $36m to Team NZ after 2007 for the 2013 campaign — funding National said it disagreed with but had to stick to after entering Government in 2008.

Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman was so worried about jinxing the result he would not comment on possible funding until it was over.

“There’s still a bit to go and I don’t want to jinx it by getting ahead of ourselves.”

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, who manages the major events portfolio, was more positive than he was last week about the prospect of government cash going towards the Cup.

Last Friday, he said: “Should they win, I don’t think there should be an expectation that the Government would be a big supporter of hosting the event.” By yesterday afternoon — with Team NZ at match point after three more wins — he expected Team NZ would want to talk about “a future partnership”.

Labour leader Andrew Little said if New Zealand was hosting the Cup, he would support “modest” Government funding for it because of the economic benefits.