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RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
SailGP returns to Auckland at a later date
New Zealand SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling sails towards spectators in the grandstand on Race Day 1 of The Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland Photo: Felix Diemer for SailGP SailGP will return to Auckland's Waitematā Harbour in February next year, sandwiched between two events in Australia. Auckland will host the F50 catamaran racing for a second time on 14 and 15 February, backing up from the debut event in the city in January this year. Ten events on the calendar for next season were announced in April - Perth, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Bermuda, New York, Halifax, Portsmouth, Saint-Tropez, Dubai and Abu Dhabi - with the Auckland event added on Friday and one more European event yet to be confirmed. Perth will host the 2026 season opener on 17 and 18 January, marking a change from this season which began in Dubai in November last year, before racing heads to Auckland and then on to Sydney a fortnight later as the 11-month-long championship enters a new era of starting the season in the Asia-Pacific region. SailGP chief executive Sir Russell Coutts said the next season of the championship was the "most expansive calendar to date". The competition was moving towards a regionalised format with multi-year hosting agreements, aiming to reduce travel distances and improve operational efficiencies. The Auckland event was supported by the government's Major Events Fund. Sailing on home waters, in front of a record crowd, did not go well for the Black Foils this season with the New Zealand boat missing the final and finishing fourth overall. Black Foils co-chief executive and driver Peter Burling said the first Auckland event "set a new standard for SailGP events" even if it took a while to eventuate . "It was special to finally see F50s racing in the inner harbour this year and showcase the spectacle of SailGP to our biggest city. The setting in Auckland is a great advertisement for what SailGP is all about. "I can't wait to be part of the energy that it brought to the city again next year. It really is special to race at home." Auckland's involvement for the 2027 season and beyond was still being negotiated. Black Foil Leo Takahashi has previously sailed with Japan and USA. Photo: supplied / SailGP SailGP was set to expand the 12-boat fleet next season and expressions of interest from potential owners for two new teams are open until mid-August. But is there enough sailing talent to go around? Some experienced sailors have shuffled between SailGP teams as new entries join the growing championship. This season the Black Foils gained Leo Takahashi from the USA and lost Andy Maloney to Brazil. Black Foils co-chief executive and sailor Blair Tuke said the movement of sailors was "normal" and helped the competition as "it knowledge shares across all teams". "That's part and parcel of this new world of professional sailing, and I think you'll see it happen more and more. It's not uncommon if you look across other sports, albeit it might be a new thing in sailing. "When we lost Andy to Brazil, on one hand you're disappointed because you've lost one of your star team members, but on the other hand it shows the growth of the league. That there are transfers happening now, or [situations] where people can go and get paid good money to race for other teams, that's a sign of the growth of the league." The top tier of experienced elite sailors was still small and Tuke and Burling have not been lured to another SailGP team, surely because of their co-chief executive roles and Live Ocean work, but sailors with their pedigree would be sought after - especially given the unique nature of SailGP, which limited the amount of time sailors get on the water in the boat ahead of a race weekend. "There are sailors out there but there's more work that needs to be done to try and make sure those teams are competitive as they step in," Tuke said of the expansion teams. "It is hard to close the gap if there is a skill gap. The league is invested in making sure that those teams, when they come in are at a higher level and can be competitive off the bat." Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) 49er Men on 24th July 2021. Photo: Photosport Tuke and Burling were working behind the scenes trying to grow the Black Foils brand so that they could continue to compete with teams which have bigger financial backing. "We're one of two or three teams that are still owned by the league, but we're on a pathway towards individual ownership," Tuke said. "The league's done a great job in its early stages of growing incredibly fast. You only have to look around and see the world-class sponsors that are on the boats, how much interest there is around the league, around the teams, just to know that this thing is a real deal. "For sure, us as a team need to do more, we want to keep growing the brand we need to do that so that we can attract more commercial sponsors and have more more longevity and be able to match it with the other teams so that's a huge focus." But come 2027 and the next America's Cup, the duo will spend a little less time together as Tuke remains with Team New Zealand and Burling leaves Team New Zealand to join Italy's Luna Rossa. "Our story started long before Team New Zealand, in the 49er with the Olympics, as we skip forward the story continues," Tuke said. "It's uncharted territory, but at the same time, we're very driven together at growing this team and to enjoy success. So there's more to write on the story, and I'm just excited to continue to take it on with him." Sailing's two big foiling competitions may get closer alignment in years to come. "I think it's fair to say it's still in its early stages of both the SailGP league and the America's Cup working together, but it's proving that it can do and as years go on that'll be a good thing for sailing. "If both properties are successful, then that's a great thing for the wider sailing community." New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland in January 2025. Photo: Bob Martin for SailGP
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
More Funding To Grow International Tourism
Press Release – New Zealand Government Recent tourism funding has been about boosting visitor numbers. As those higher numbers become established, the Roadmap will shift over time to focus more on supporting communities to look after them well, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston … Minister for Tourism and Hospitality The Government is increasing funding for attracting overseas visitors and investing in tourism infrastructure as part of its new Tourism Growth Roadmap, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 'We're investing $35 million to deliver the first stage of the Roadmap, which sets out the Government's plan to double the value of tourism,' Louise Upston says. 'International visitors bring billions of dollars into New Zealand, from big ticket spends to everyday purchases in local cafes and accommodation. 'We want to welcome more visitors to New Zealand, and we want our regional communities to improve their capacity to look after those visitors. 'The Government must work with industry to unlock the full potential of our tourism sector, and the Roadmap lays out initiatives and investments to ensure our infrastructure, workforce and communities can support further growth. 'For the 2025/26 financial year, we're investing $6 million in international marketing across emerging tourism markets, $3 million to increase the number of business events hosted in New Zealand, and an additional $5 million towards the Major Events Fund. 'These commitments follow the recent announcements of $13.5 million invested in international tourism marketing and $4 million of investment towards improving the visitor experience along the Milford Road corridor. 'Recent tourism funding has been about boosting visitor numbers. As those higher numbers become established, the Roadmap will shift over time to focus more on supporting communities to look after them well,' Louise Upston says. This investment comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. This levy is charged to most international visitors, and ensures they are contributing to the public services, facilities and natural environment they will enjoy while in New Zealand.
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
More Funding To Grow International Tourism
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality The Government is increasing funding for attracting overseas visitors and investing in tourism infrastructure as part of its new Tourism Growth Roadmap, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 'We're investing $35 million to deliver the first stage of the Roadmap, which sets out the Government's plan to double the value of tourism,' Louise Upston says. 'International visitors bring billions of dollars into New Zealand, from big ticket spends to everyday purchases in local cafes and accommodation. 'We want to welcome more visitors to New Zealand, and we want our regional communities to improve their capacity to look after those visitors. 'The Government must work with industry to unlock the full potential of our tourism sector, and the Roadmap lays out initiatives and investments to ensure our infrastructure, workforce and communities can support further growth. 'For the 2025/26 financial year, we're investing $6 million in international marketing across emerging tourism markets, $3 million to increase the number of business events hosted in New Zealand, and an additional $5 million towards the Major Events Fund. 'These commitments follow the recent announcements of $13.5 million invested in international tourism marketing and $4 million of investment towards improving the visitor experience along the Milford Road corridor. 'Recent tourism funding has been about boosting visitor numbers. As those higher numbers become established, the Roadmap will shift over time to focus more on supporting communities to look after them well,' Louise Upston says. This investment comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. This levy is charged to most international visitors, and ensures they are contributing to the public services, facilities and natural environment they will enjoy while in New Zealand. More information can be found on the MBIE website from 6pm.
Scoop
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Māoriland's Cannes Film Festival Win Takes Ōtaki To The World
One of Kāpiti Coast's most celebrated cultural organisations won a prestigious award at the Cannes World Film Festival earlier this week. Recognised in the Economic and Social Impact category, Māoriland's win is a testament to the kaupapa-driven work the organisation champions from its homebase in Ōtaki. Supported by Kāpiti Coast District Council's Major Events Fund, the Māoriland Film Festival has grown into Aotearoa New Zealand's premier international indigenous film festival, attracting thousands of attendees to the district every year. Kāpiti Coast Deputy Mayor Lawrence Kirby says the Council is thrilled for Māoriland and their head of content Libby Hakaraia. 'Māoriland's kaupapa is very much about the mana (essence) and manawa (heart) of its community, connecting indigenous creativity in our district, across the country, and globally,' says Cr Kirby. 'Beyond its annual film festival, Māoriland also host events, exhibitions and year-round educational programmes that foster youth creativity, supports Māori screen practitioners, and strengthens our local creative economy. 'What we already knew about Māoriland the rest of the world does now too.' Kāpiti Coast Economic Kotahitanga Board Chair Neil MacKay says Libby Hakaraia has shone a light on the creativity at Māoriland Hub on the global stage. 'This well-deserved award is true recognition of Libby's vision and perseverance and what has been built at Māoriland,' says Mr MacKay. 'Kāpiti has been listed in the Top 5 nationally on the Infometrics Creativity index, dubbing us as one of New Zealand's creative centres. There is no mistaking that we have an abundance of creatives in our district and should take pride on this global achievement.'
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Supercars For The South Island
Press Release – New Zealand Government For more than 20 years Supercars Championship events have played an important role showcasing our beautiful country to an international audience and Im thrilled the South Island will now be part of this from next year, Tourism and Hospitality … Minister for Tourism and Hospitality A second round of the hugely successful Supercars events will be held in Christchurch from next year with support from the Government's Major Events Fund. 'For more than 20 years Supercars Championship events have played an important role showcasing our beautiful country to an international audience and I'm thrilled the South Island will now be part of this from next year,' Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 'The Government is investing $5.9 million from the Major Events Fund to support Supercars events in both Taupō and Christchurch for the next three years. 'This means international – and domestic – visitors can attend back-to-back rounds across consecutive weekends in Taupō and Christchurch, allowing them to extend their stay and enjoy more of what New Zealand has to offer. 'It was fantastic to be part of the estimated 50,000 strong crowd at the recent ITM Supercars440 event in Taupō. The place was buzzing with people in town to enjoy one of the most popular Trans-Tasman motorsport events. 'We know the 2024 event generated significant economic and tourism benefits for the Taupō region and New Zealand with more than 3,300 international visitors attending and spending more than $5.2 million while here. Not to mention the invaluable exposure in key tourism markets with a total broadcast reach of 246 million, including 3.9 million in Australia. 'I'm pleased that with this investment New Zealand's strong relationship with Supercars will continue in Taupō and extend to include Christchurch, with all the benefits that brings.' Supercars Ltd has selected Ruapuna Motorsport Park, Christchurch as the host venue for the South Island round.
