Viewpoint – Connecting people to the ocean

Next year Auckland will welcome back one of the great sporting events on the planet as The Ocean Race returns to our shores during its 50th anniversary.

For those who don’t follow sailing closely, this isn’t a leisurely cruise around the Hauraki Gulf. This is the ultimate test of endurance for some of the world’s best sailors, a race through the roughest oceans on Earth where conditions can turn savage in a hurry.

Auckland has a long history with this race. We first hosted the old Whitbread Round the World Race back in 1977-78, and generations of New Zealand sailors have built legendary reputations through it since then.

That connection matters because Auckland is proudly a maritime city. We have 3200 kilometres of coastline, three harbours, and thousands of people whose livelihoods and lifestyles are connected to the water. The sea shapes how we live, work and play.

People sometimes joke that Auckland calls itself the “City of Sails” because everybody owns a boat. That’s not quite true, but compared to most cities in the world, our connection to the ocean is genuinely unique, and events like this help remind the rest of the world about that.

They also deliver real economic benefits.

The Ocean Race is expected to generate about $7.2 million in GDP impact for the region and more than 23,000 visitor nights. That means people staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, shopping locally and supporting businesses across Auckland.

And while the finish line action happens on the waterfront, the benefits spread much wider than the city centre. Visitors travel throughout the region. They hire cars, visit beaches, eat at local cafes and explore places well beyond downtown Auckland.

The event also showcases New Zealand’s marine industry, which is one of the best in the world. We have incredible boat builders, designers, engineers and innovators producing technology that is increasingly being adopted internationally.

A lot of marine technology starts in high-performance racing before becoming mainstream. Foiling technology is a good example. What once looked futuristic on racing yachts is now appearing on ferries and commercial vessels. Even Auckland’s ferry network is moving towards foiling vessels because they are faster and more efficient.

That innovation culture is part of what makes New Zealand special.

Through my involvement with organisations like Sea Cleaners, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of protecting our marine environment. If you want future generations to enjoy the water the way New Zealanders do today, we have to look after it.

That’s another reason events like The Ocean Race matter. They help connect people back to the ocean and remind us how important it is to our economy, our identity and our future.

Auckland is lucky to sit beside some of the most spectacular sailing waters in the world. In 2027, the eyes of the sailing world will once again turn towards New Zealand.

And that’s exactly where they should be.

Lastly, I’m hearing that some Rodney residents are unhappy with this year’s proposed rates rise. It’s higher than I’d like, and I know it’s higher than many Aucklanders want. But it’s what we set out last year and consulted on.

This is the year the City Rail Link bill lands. I understand people in Rodney won’t see the same direct benefits as those closer to the city.

But it’s worth remembering that Rodney has already seen significant investment, including more than $500 million of ratepayers’ money on a new sewerage system. There will also be a considerable amount spent on improving the local roads there.

That kind of investment would have been much harder to deliver without being part of Auckland. But that’s the reality of being part of a super city – different areas benefit at different times from specific projects.