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Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says Aucklanders will be disappointed at Emirates Team NZ’s decision to look overseas for the next America’s Cup defence.
Auckland Council ratepayers contributed $113m towards hosting the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland last year, with government supplying an additional $136.5m for construction, the event fee and commercial and base related costs. Council’s contribution included $71.7m towards construction of the team bases and the upgrade and expansion of superyacht berthages and $34m towards commercial and base related costs.
In a press release the Mayor says Auckland was anticipating that the city and its businesses would get a second return on this investment, particularly after Covid-19 prevented the positive economic impact of overseas visitors, and the boost super yacht refittings would have given to the maritime industry.
“While the infrastructure created to support the Cup will be a legacy for future generations, I think Aucklanders and New Zealanders were expecting Team NZ to acknowledge the significant support they have received by choosing to defend the Cup in Auckland,” Mr Goff says.
If the race heads overseas it will be the first time a Kiwi team has not defended the Cup on home waters.
“Auckland Council and government made a combined offer of nearly $100 million, but Team New Zealand wanted twice that amount,” Mr Goff says. “That clearly was not sustainable in the post-Covid environment.”
“While I understand Team NZ have to think about their commercial interests, I share Aucklanders’ disappointment that the Cup is looking like it is going overseas,” he says.
