Should future Team NZ funding require NZ regattas?
After all the years of public money pumped into Team NZ, it has taken America’s Cup regattas to Saudi Arabia and Barcelona instead of hosting them here, where Kiwis get the economic benefit. Should they be told to pay back some of that taxpayer funding? A
We were proud to support Team NZ at the time. I take the view that it’s important to be a good sport in this case, even though it’s naturally disappointing to see this go overseas.
Team NZ’s international sporting prowess in 2021 put New Zealand on the map once again as a world-class sailing nation. Expanding our international reputation during the 2021 event was significant in getting us back on the world stage following the hiatus of international sporting events during Covid.
Kiwis also continue to benefit from legacy assets and facilities on the Auckland waterfront, and the Government helped to customise 22 chase boats used during the America’s Cup so they can be used as rescue vessels around the country.
The offer we put in to keep the event sailed in New Zealand was generous. But, despite the general agreement across Parliament that we put our best foot forward to secure the 2024 America’s Cup, at the end of the day it was a commercial decision to be made by Team NZ.
As a government, we’ve made significant investment in securing other top-tier sporting endeavours here in Aotearoa. This includes the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022, and the highly anticipated Fifa Women’s World Cup to be hosted here shortly. The Fifa Women’s World Cup is the largest global sporting event for women in football, and the previous event was watched by 1.12 billion people in 2019.
On top of this, our investment in sporting and major events secured a fouryear deal in 2021 to bring the new hightech global sailing competition SailGP to our shores. There is keen international competition to be part of this event, and the selection of Lyttelton Harbour in Christchurch and Auckland is testament to our reputation for successfully hosting world-class sporting events. It is this kind of government investment that maintains both our sporting spirit, and the events that bring us all together.
We would love to have the America’s Cup here, but this is a global commercial operation and ultimately the decision was for Team NZ. Aotearoa has a rich sporting history and we’re committed to backing our teams both in their domestic and international aspirations.
We wish the team well in Barcelona. They are world-class sailors and I know they will have the support of Kiwis back home in 2024.
Sports are deeply ingrained in New Zealand’s identity, and our consistent success in various sporting endeavours on the global stage confirms it.
From the historic first All Blacks test in 1905 at Stamford Bridge to recent achievements like Ryan Fox competing in the Masters golf tournament, we have built a reputation for surpassing expectations worldwide.
Team New Zealand exemplifies this spirit, repeatedly triumphing in the America’s Cup and outperforming other nations.
Our sailors are not only world-class, but the cutting-edge technology we develop and the skill of our boat makers in crafting the fastest and most efficient vessels further enhance our competitive edge.
The Government has consistently supported sports due to their significance to many New Zealanders and the sense of pride they instil.
Sport New Zealand and the minister for sport allocate funding based on expert advice to promote our nation.
Taxpayer funds have been granted to Olympians and sports teams to compete internationally against the best in the world.
It is disappointing that Team New Zealand is taking the cup overseas but it is their decision to make.
In 2021 and previous years, their participation united the entire country. The impact on Auckland and the
New Zealand economy in terms of tourism and global attention cannot be understated.
The taxpayer funding provided to
Team New Zealand did not explicitly require them to host regattas domestically.
If the intention was for events to be held in New Zealand, it should have been specified in the contract, a point that any future government agreement should address.
However, we should also recognise the positive exposure they bring us internationally.
As a world-class team, they represent and promote New Zealand exceptionally well in other countries.
Supporting our sports teams, whether by watching them on TV or attending live events, unites our nation and promotes us more than many people realise.
Let us continue to rally behind our athletes and celebrate their achievements as they contribute to our collective identity.