Americas Cup is New Zealand’s cup?
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7:30 am, March 18th, 2021 - 80 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, jacinda ardern, sport -
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I must admit that I have recently been watching the Americas Cup races. Ultra high tech boats travelling at unbelievable speeds and the local team has some good old kiwi sailors beating the best of the world. And on the Waitemata Harbour. What is there to dislike?
Well it is a rich man’s sport. The crowds shown by TVNZ did not look like the Aotearoa that I know. It looked like the St Heliers tribe had moved downtown.
And it was rather expensive.
The Government contributed $136.5 million and Auckland Council contributed $113 million to host the event. These are big sums. Council’s contribution especially is significant at a time where it is trying to save every cent it can find.
There was speculation a month ago that the organisers were looking to host it overseas. From Todd Niall at Stuff:
Team New Zealand says its survival could depend on bids being finalised by overseas cities interested in hosting the next America’s Cup.
The Cup defender has been in talks with up to 10 cities, with a shortlist of final bids due by the end of February, to consider alongside the outcome of negotiations with the Government on any future hosting.
Team New Zealand must first successfully defend the Cup in March, before making what could be a radical change in Aotearoa’s relationship with the regatta, in which winning meant hosting.
In an exclusive interview with Stuff, Team New Zealand’s chief executive Grant Dalton said the Covid-19 environment, and the evolution of the Cup, meant the old model of funding a regatta and a team was over.
My first response was what a bunch of mercenaries. My second response was that if survival depended on gaining more than $250 million of public money as well as all of the corporate sponsorship, television rights and advertising sloshing around then clearly the Americas Cup is not value for money. Think of the international Kapa Haka competition we could have with this sort of money.
My third response was that I hope Auckland Council’s lawyers had covered this in the hosting agreement. Like “If we win the America’s cup regatta in 2021 then the next regatta will also be held in Auckland”. But I am not sure if these particular words were included. Because I cannot see them anywhere.
I hope I am wrong. Otherwise downtown Auckland has some pretty impressive marine infrastructure that may not be used in the foreseeable future.
The Government quickly jumped out of the blocks and offered more money for the event to stay but the wording was careful:
“Team New Zealand has once again made us all so proud by retaining the America’s Cup as New Zealand’s cup,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
“On behalf of all of Aotearoa I congratulate Grant Dalton, Peter Burling and the whole team, those on the water and off it, for their achievements.
“Peter Burling and his crew of skilled sailors showed what they were capable of in all conditions, highlighting the tactical brilliance and sheer hard work of everyone involved.
“Following a hard year, Team New Zealand provided such optimism and excitement. I know with all the international limitations that COVID created this wasn’t the competition they expected, but they’ve made us so proud,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“Innovation, technology, guts and hard work have delivered glory for Emirates Team New Zealand,” Minister responsible for the America’s Cup Stuart Nash said.
“We want to see it all over again in 2023.The Government has already agreed that the successful America’s Cup team will be supported to stay together while it plans its next defence of the Auld Mug.
“Cabinet has agreed to invest in the team from within existing budgets. It would be subject to a number of conditions, including an expectation the Cup will be defended in New Zealand.
And a challenge has been received, with the suggestion that the event be held in the Isle of Wight. From Christopher Reive at the Herald:
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron general manager Hayden Porter confirmed the club had received a new challenge when speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan this afternoon, but would not say where the challenge had come from.
“We have received a challenge for the 37th America’s Cup. There’s a lot of details to come; discussions will evolve over the next few days, weeks and months and things will happen from there … it was all done out on the water – all details will be revealed in the next wee while,” Porter said.
…
The process of agreeing terms with the next Challenger of Record is remarkably swift – as the deed of gift allows for any other yacht club to put in a challenge, that must be accepted should it be considered “legitimate” – and it will be no different in this case.
“It’s one of those traditions that is pretty special about the Cup; that they must receive a challenge and it must be accepted,” Porter said.
“There’s a protocol that goes with it; it gets handed over literally at the second it happens. In the old days, things used to get thrown on to boats. Here at the club, we have some protocols that go around it where our email servers get shut down, our phones get shut down, the doors get locked and things like that so it can’t be challenged that another challenge has been received. We’ve done it a few times, so we know the drill.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Herald reported that Team New Zealand are understood to be considering a radical proposal for the next America’s Cup defence – a one-off defence against Ineos Team UK excluding other challengers on the Isle of Wight next year.
If it is to be the Isle of Wight can I express to Team New Zealand the best of luck and I hope they go well. But there should not be one cent of public money put into the event. They are clearly a bunch of mercenary wide boys competing for an event that has been the exclusive purview of the rich and famous during all of its life. There are much more important events for us to spend out money on.
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- Opportunity to build a more sustainable economyGreen Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...1 week ago
- Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust pastA significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environmentNew Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to GovernmentTens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention OfficeLabour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...1 week ago
- CCC issues warning over further climate delayToday’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets are lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt prioritiesMinister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Methane target review is dangerous duplicationThe Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled studentsThe Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National must take mental health seriouslyMental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwardsThe Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cutsNew Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...2 weeks ago
- Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing planMāori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do listThe Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this AprilChanges to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...3 weeks ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...2 hours ago - Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...14 hours ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...19 hours ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...21 hours ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...22 hours ago
- Government backing mussel spat projectThe Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...23 hours ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...1 day ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...1 day ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...1 day ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...2 days ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...2 days ago
- Inflation coming down, but more work to doToday’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...2 days ago
- School attendance restored as a priority in health adviceRefreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...2 days ago
- Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sectorOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...2 days ago
- Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International CongressAssociate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...3 days ago
- Removing red tape to help early learners thriveThe Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...3 days ago
- RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tapeChanges to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...3 days ago
- McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationshipTrade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister LeePrime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...4 days ago
- PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ tiesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...4 days ago
- Antarctica New Zealand Board appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...4 days ago
- Finance Minister travels to Washington DCFinance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...4 days ago
- Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlordsThe coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...4 days ago
- Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being consideredState Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...4 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Iranian strikesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...5 days ago
- Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plansHundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...7 days ago
- Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand ChairHealth Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...7 days ago
- Roads of National Significance planning underwayThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...1 week ago
- Navigating an unstable global environmentNew Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...1 week ago
- NZ welcomes Australian Governor-GeneralPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...1 week ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for WinterAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...1 week ago
- NZ and the US: an ever closer partnershipNew Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...1 week ago
- Joint US and NZ declarationApril 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...1 week ago
- NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperationForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...1 week ago
- Government redress for Te Korowai o WainuiāruaThe Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...1 week ago
- Focus on outstanding minerals permit applicationsNew Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “While there are no set timeframes for ...1 week ago
- Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research CallThe New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...1 week ago
- Tenancy rules changes to improve rental marketThe coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...1 week ago
- Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with ChinaTrade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...1 week ago
- Freshwater farm plan systems to be improvedThe coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...1 week ago
- NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...1 hour ago - Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIEThe public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...2 hours ago
- “Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...3 hours ago - ‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...3 hours ago - Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...3 hours ago
- Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...3 hours ago - Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...3 hours ago
- Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track LegislationThe Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...4 hours ago
- Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...4 hours ago
- Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...4 hours ago
- Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...4 hours ago
- Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-handSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...4 hours ago
- ‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration StatusThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...4 hours ago
- 20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last yearThe government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...5 hours ago
- All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to bestRaglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...7 hours ago
- Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation feesResidents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...7 hours ago
- Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago - Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China SeaNew Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...7 hours ago
- Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servantsThe thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...7 hours ago
- New Zealand transport planning has gone off the railsOpinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...7 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 19 AprilThe post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slowsThe transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 AprilLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Financial literacy should be on all of usOpinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Missy rustles to stardom in CanadaHineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...7 hours ago
- Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the paceOfficial figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...13 hours ago
- Group plans work to improve safety of female MPsNew research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...14 hours ago
- Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid voteUkraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...15 hours ago
- PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculumHiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...16 hours ago
- Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for ChildrenThe Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...18 hours ago
- Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...19 hours ago
- Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating textSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...19 hours ago
- Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...19 hours ago
- Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...19 hours ago
- Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...19 hours ago
- Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...19 hours ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...20 hours ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...20 hours ago
- Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...21 hours ago
- Abortions Increase 25% Since Law ChangeFamily First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...21 hours ago
- Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is BrokenIpsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...22 hours ago
- Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...22 hours ago
- What does Steve Smith’s Stateside signing mean for cricket in the US – and Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney Steve Smith, one of this generation’s finest batters, has conquered much of the cricketing world during his career, and he now has set his sights on a new frontier: the United ...22 hours ago
- A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewedMadeleine Ballard reviews the debut novel from romesh dissanayake. when I open the shop, the debut novel by Naarm-based Aotearoa writer romesh dissanayake (Sri Lankan, Koryo Saram), is a narrative of grief. Devendra loses his mother, opens a noodle shop on The Terrace, grieves, and emerges changed. But just as ...22 hours ago
- Minister Concedes Contractors Will Be Hired To Do Work Of Axed Ministry Of Education StaffThe PSA can’t believe that the Minister of Education is happy for her ministry to hire contractors at the same time it is dismissing 565 workers. ...22 hours ago
- Attempt to bar diplomat from Myanmar military junta failsMyanmar community members applied to the courts to bar the diplomat from attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ...23 hours ago
- LGNZ Welcomes Govt Earthquake-prone Buildings DecisionLGNZ has advocated for this decision as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council. ...23 hours ago
- AUKUS Pillar 2 a 'fragrant, methane-wrapped bull***' – Bob CarrThe former Australian Foreign Minister has continued to warn New Zealand against joining the defence pact. ...23 hours ago
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Taken overseas by Team $$$$ ? = not one cent ever again. Perhaps the cup holders should look at the long view…..
Well I take a different view to that.
Like the Rugby World Cup or the Olympics, this year's host America's Cup nation should have no expectation that they should host it next time. The All Blacks don't' determine where the next World Cup will be.
It's a globally mobile event. Proposed hosts should compete for that right to host. That's not a free proposition. For every event of that scale of magnitude, there will be an awful lot of infrastructural preparation and cost.
The area that the bases were on last time now has expensive apartments and a 5-star hotel on it. It will be the same: like an Olympics, the America's Cup can generate legacy urban development outcomes. If you're looking for a reason to take off another wharf or two off Ports of Auckland for future public use, here it is.
We can argue about how much state funding should be put into it. We probably should, just as we would for any other major event.
Some may say it's just a sport for elites. The 1,500 strong construction crew who worked to prepare the waterfront for 2.5 years might have a different view, as would the fitout specialists, R&D teams, sail and spar and componentry specialists, and all who celebrated in their homes and at the event. Or you could admit to the elitism of sport full stop: you win on the world stage of any sport precisely because you are within the highly subsidised elite.
I'd encourage anyone to pop down and see what the money was spent on. For 70 years you used to be able to see petroleum storage tanks dominate the area. That's been removed and much of it already integrated into the new urban form. Take kids with you.
…pop down and see what the money was spent on. For 70 years you used to be able to see petroleum storage tanks dominate the area. That's been removed and much of it already integrated into the new urban form.
The mate who came round to ours over the past two days to watch this (in my opinion) obscene display of rich wanker willy wagging thought he might wander down to Auckland and soak up the ticker tape party vibe.
He too (like myself and my disabled partner) has lived and traveled in camper van type vehicles, either by choice or necessity.
And although we never actually met in that particular freedom camping spot, we've spent happy times exchanging accounts of our respective stays at the Tank Farm. Used to be marked on the map of Auckland…"Freedom Camping Area"…right down the end of Hamer and Brigham Streets. Awesome spot for those with stuff they need to do in the city who can't afford the hotels and motels. Especially good for wheelchair users as the trip to town is all on the flat.
There was an interesting assemblage of 'permanent' campers who gave much needed colour to the place and the occasional legal snapper could be caught from the rocks.
And once the endless stream of buses loaded with camera- armed tourists had abated for the night (we figured they were brought down to the Tank Farm while the hotels processed the last bus load) the place was relatively quiet.
All gone now, I believe? https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/freedom-campers-causing-concern-auckland
Shifted out the travelers and the indigent so the wealthy can play without the poor being in their faces.
It's not designed for any vehicle to park as long as they like.
It's a place where thousands of people from all walks of life run, skateboard, cycle, walk, go to work, fish, play, live, and generally enjoy life. It's just as free to entry as it was.
It's not designed for any vehicle to park as long as they like.
But it used to be a legal Freedom Camping Site. You know, common land available for all of the people. Including travelers. And those with nowhere else to live.
….people from all walks of life run, skateboard, cycle, walk, go to work, fish, play, live, and generally enjoy life were still able to do these things despite the presence of van dwellers.
But I guess the people from "all walks of life" found the presence of the poor and indigent a little bit confronting? Reality just might put them off their lattes?
No, you no longer have a right to camp your camper there for free. Your nearest paid carpark is 500m away like the rest of the public.
Top work on your well-nourished grievance.
I've got agree with Ad here, the waterfront is a lot nicer place now that can be used by all the public.
I admit to being more than a little peeved at so many "Freedom campers" assumption that they can hog public spaces.
The waterfront at Whangamata estuary playground, for one.
@ Ad …you no longer have a right to camp your camper there for free.
@ Jimmy ….the waterfront is a lot nicer place …
@ KjtT …peeved at so many "Freedom campers" assumption that they can hog public spaces.
Ah, but Ad, freedom campers used to "have the right" to park at the tank farm. That right was removed. I could take the time an explain to you why it was so convenient…especially for those of us with mobility and access issues…but they would be words falling on stony ground.
Do you feel the same way about homeless Kiwis? That they should be out of sight of the 'nice' folks who just want to have fun? Hidden away somewhere?
To my knowledge none of freedom campers at the Tank Farm ever blocked access to the public. I guess the privileged found their mere presence offensive.
Many of those parking up long term at the Tank Farm were homeless New Zealanders. Did any of you ever go and pass the time of day with any of them? Some of us who were occasional stayers did…
Any of you care what happened to them? Where did they end up? You don't have to worry about what you can't see, eh?
The "homeless," around my way cannot afford campervans. I know, I had an ever-changing bunch of young homeless, in my basement, for years. The “freedom campers” blocking public access I’ve seen are affluent bludgers or tourists. Not homeless.
Parking up for the night on prime waterfront land is a privilege, not a "right". Sadly, NZ doesn't have as much free stuff as it once had, because everything is commercialised, and the population has (irresponsibly) grown beyond capacity, so there's just not as much space. 30 odd years ago, before the Wynyard Quarter development, the whole area was a vast empty carpark. Much has changed
The construction workers on this project and the money involved could have been better spent on the housing stock of the country.
While I agree with some of your concerns about spending taxpayers money on this (or really any top level sporting event) I take issue with your view that the sport shouldn't be supported because people who either play it or watch it do not reflect the make up of NZ. That should NEVER be a major factor in determining if a sport should be supported. Rugby Union, Rugby League, and Netball do not have significant Chinese or Indian players or supporters (certainly not reflective of their proportion in the wider population). That does not mean we should not regard these sports as important to the country.
Totally.
If “it does not look like the NZ I know” was a reason to cancel sport in NZ there would not be any sport in NZ.
The “it’s a rich persons sport” is always an interesting line that comes out this time in every americas cup campaign. I challenge that. Our 10 year old daughter is off to her local sailing club through a try sailing programme next Monday. It’s free. If she likes it, she can sign up to a six month learn to sail course for just over $200 everything included, boat and all. How much would it take to kit her out in rugby gear, netball gear or gear for any other sport.
just over $200 everything included, boat and all. How much would it take to kit her out in rugby gear, netball gear or gear for any other sport.
$200 barely buys you a cricket bat, let alone all the other gear kids need to play.
Exactly.
I’m not a sailor myself but our daughter is interested. Once you look beyond the “rich person sport” trope you find they have some amazing programs across the country to make it a very accessible sport.
To be fair though, the expense-profile on bats and helmets doesn't change much over the lifetime of an amateur cricketer as they progress through the ranks. I suspect the expense-profile of sailing ramps up in a dramatically different fashion.
🙂
A lot of the participants in our club racing spend nothing. Apart from a couple of hundred dollars for membership.
Then we also support the local Waka Ama, Disabled sailing, school sailing and youth training, (where they can ballot for club boats) all paid by our club fees.
I think all of us enjoyed the America's cup racing.
Agree KJT.
This is a whole new world to me but I’ve been really impressed with the efforts sailing clubs have put in to make the sport accessible.
Grassroots sport across the board is suffering, according to a whole bunch of reports that've been published over recent times, including our national sport. Whether rugby should be our national sport is one thing, but I've always found it strange how we can't just turn on the tele to watch a live rugby test match anymore. The same goes for a lot of sport. The Americas Cup screening live to air I'm sure has been a major factor in the public's support of it. Sure, it's held in a public space, but if most of the country had to access it via pay TV I'm sure it wouldn’t have had anywhere near the support it gets.
Well. Everyone at my workplace was glued to it.
Lucky it was free-to-air – had the nation united. Good on ya kay-way.
More to do with current working hours, lack of money which translates to lack of time, and casualised jobs, that prevent people from participating in sports.
Many sports are trying their best to change that, but fewer and fewer people have leisure time.
Our "brave new world".
Absolutely, no doubt there's no straightforward explanation. But it's interesting how the AC had so many of us watching. I do think the free-to-air issue is a significant factor.
What your daughter is getting into is what I regard as "real" sailing. Not this high-tech space-age stuff that just happens to take place on water rather than in the air or on a race-track.
Russell Coutts old club the ravensbourne yatch club is even cheaper.
The Americas cup has built a huge flow on business employing 10's of thousands of people.
IT for instance our tech is world beating even the TV graphics were designed in Dunedin by a company founded and run by a Maori.
Our boat manufacture and maintenance industry has grown from Americas cup exposure from a $120 million a year to $4 billion a year .This is a massive growth industry we need to show case our world beating technology and our team style of working together.
The All blacks don't have that economic impact yet we spent $100's of millions putting on a world cup.
[Fixed same typo in e-mail address again]
[Fixed same typo in e-mail address again]
I take issue with your view that the sport shouldn't be supported because people who either play it or watch it do not reflect the make up of NZ. That should NEVER be a major factor in determining if a sport should be supported. Rugby Union, Rugby League, and Netball do not have significant Chinese or Indian players or supporters
Interesting to think about cricket from this perspective, too. It's still at the national level in NZ a predominantly white guys game (Ish 'the Dish' Sodhi and Ross Taylor being notable current exceptions) but at the grass roots level and in the leagues I play there are SO MANY talented kids of Asian and PI ethnicity coming through the ranks. I really look forward to seeing them play on the international stage soon.
Sure but it shouldn’t matter. The All Blacks and the Super Rugby squads have a large proportion of the players (possibly a majority) being of Maori and Pasifika heritage far beyond their proportion in the wider population. That does not mean we should be stating they do not reflect the wider community.
All of the above – and then add on the inestimable value of NZ's profile in the world as a country that embraces and achieves human excellence at the highest level.
The America's Cup is to yachting what Formula 1 and Formula E and Le Mans are to car production: test beds of R&D innovation played out before global audiences.
It massively drives innovation and alters industries as a result.
If there were an equivalent Olympics of food, Fonterra would now resemble GlaxoSmithKleine – rather than known as a mass producer and destroyer of whole water catchments.
I'd argue that its closer to the old group b rally cars… both in terms tech advancement and spectator accessibility.
The r&d jumps they make building and running these AC boats are remarkable…long may it continue
"Team New Zealand" – just another brand name, up for grabs by the highest bidder. Like those "clubs" in the English Premier League, few if any of which now have any real roots in their localities, or even in England.
The rich and politically connected and the government/councils will always have money for rich peoples sports/fancies and desires. After all that is what the tax payers and rates payers are for, paying to the joys of the rich. Why pay for something when you can just pretend that what the Rich wants will 'trickle down' on us. Surely it will trickle down on us, like warm piss.
Sailing is a huge sport in NZ, which definately involves some very wealthy people. But doesn't any top sport ? There is also a massive amount of weekend warriors with very limited budgets. My understanding is that GST and PAYE from the teams pretty much covers the government expenditure. That's without adding the huge benefit of showcasing our expertise overseas and the big spend tourists make when they come for the cup (obviously not this one with the covid restrictions) Not many are backpackers !
Sometimes it's necessary to suck it up and take the return on what is essentially a rich mans pissing contest
Long may it last !
The gentrification of sports is an unhelpful trope – elite athletes fostering a culture of celebrity rather than the participation, which a country with the third highest obesity in the OECD should be giving serious attention. No chance of that of course. Priorities are appearing to govern, not actually governing.
As for government funding – it's all part of the cargo cult capitalism model. It rains money on wealthy established events, while community functions must struggle. As for the hitech innovation, we'd get a lot more bang for those bucks if government did research inhouse.
Professional sport is the opposite of "gentrification" which is why the "Gentry" opposed it for so long.
Can't have the "great unwashed" beating the Nobility.
The attraction is mostly lost on me – I'm an angler – there are no expectations my skills will make me famous or attract public sponsorship. The competition is with cool discreet intelligences, and the scope of my bragging is at most a few feeds among friends.
I'm no fan of ball sports. And fishing is something I have done for a job. Not fun.
But. Each to their own!
The "Gentry" in Auckland were more than a little miffed by being "bombed" by fishermen in Mullet boats.
Quote: "a radical change in Aotearoa’s relationship" and "The crowds shown by TVNZ did not look like the Aotearoa that I know." Well, I have NEVER known Aotearoa. That name was several centuries ago, well before my birth. This New Zealand. The Media have gone out of their way to never utter the words "New Zealand" again. Just watch the news, the weather, the reporters. Until there is some "official" change of name, this will always be New Zealand to me. JM2CW.
I remember being similarly confronted and miffed after we all got in behind “ our team” with the red socks campaign – they were not NZ’s team at all. If they go offshore to defend I think they can leave the “New Zealand” behind and become Team Anybody’s.
…the red socks campaign
Folks have very short memories Janet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtzQduKtpsQ
Are you alluding to the fact that the socks weren't actually made in NZ? (Korea, if I remember right – but you won't find much mention of it on-line these days.)
If Team Money move the event offshore they will make more money no argument – but at some point the cup will be lost and at that stage I don't think New Zealanders will be willing to be useful idiots and finance a bunch of mercenaries – that will be the end of New Zealand's involvement in the cup so short term profit or a continuing legacy which will it be?
25 years of Americas cup jobs to date. Noting that even in California a lot of NZ input.
The yanks reckoned the whole thing was the NZ hi-tech boat building industry competing with each other, financed by them.. LOL.
I enjoyed the cup but at a rough guess the government and Auckland council played about 7 mill per race that te rehutai raced.
I watched about 15 minutes of it over someones shoulder yesterday on a computer screen.
The technology was impressive – and fundamentally not the applicable to anything apart from racing. For instance I can't see any way to scale up the technology of a 7 tonne hydrofoil wind powered racing vessel up to container shipping – something that might be valuable.
The only reason that I watched at all was because someone I have been working with in the UK repeatably commented on it in a zoom meeting. They'd been following it assiduously. I came to the conclusion that there is probably a shortage of armchair sport available. It simply wasn't that interesting after 15 minutes – I went off and biked home.
If it was 250 million of our taxes that went towards it, then I bitterly resent my ~$50-$100 of taxes that went towards it as waste of my time and work. It is a clear case where strict user-pays is a good idea.
and fundamentally not the applicable to anything apart from racing.
And much the same was often said about the Apollo program in the 60's – yet I can name at least three critical developments that fell out of it that few anticipated on the day:
The AGC (Apollo Guidance Computer) was the first proper real-time control system computer with a high profile application. There were several hundred of them built for various purposes and the demand created for IC's is credited for substantially kick starting the modern semiconductor industry.
Moreover the high reliability software techniques pioneered in that system, directly spun off into the PLC technology of the 70's – which have been the backbone of industrial automation ever since. (I know this because back in the 90’s I got the chance to spend a whole day one on one with the man who led that development effort.)
The AGC also instantiated the very first implementation of the now famous Kalman algorithm, a core digital signal filtering and processing technique that in the modern world has a bewilderingly wide range of important applications.
These are just three extraordinarily valuable outcomes of just one relatively small aspect of the Apollo missions that happen to align with my own personal experience – there must be a multitude of others.
As for the AC boats themselves – yes they are highly specialised, but their influence does filter down to lesser mortals. Decades ago sailors were delighted if they could achieve 10 knots, these days it's routine for production performance cats to achieve 20 knots, and some leading edge designs are now adding foils and aiming for 30.
As for resenting the $250m of taxpayers money, as others have pointed out, the govt probably recouped a fair chunk of that in other taxes like GST. And that's before we include the flow on effects into NZ's globally respected marine industry. It was an investment and it's paid off – you should be pleased.
I saw a lot of technology that was applicable to commercial vessels and even for building things like lightweight low energy using road vehicles.
Things which should be happening in New Zealand.
I dont watch the nzso but am ok with funding it. Do you feel the same way about them ?
People need there bread and circuses.
And the gladiators are the poor and homeless we see another day if we wish to watch, hopeless and despondent, begging for a few dollars, something to eat. There is not enough housing for the average buyer, why would anybody care about this lot. They are maybe on drugs, maybe not. Maybe alcohol, maybe not.
But for sure left behind by a society that adores the rich and is happy with the breadcrumbs thrown at them. Those hard luck stories are a dime a dozen, who cares. Right?
The 200K plus would have gone a very long way of feeding the poor. Priorities, priorities.
Actually the tech they come up with to build and drive the boat ends up with quite a few applications… fluid dynamics… hydralic systems…. the carbon composites even the AI they use for simulation end up with in or help to develop far more everyday items…
Ever get the feeling you’ve been had?
If only it was so easy to engage New Zealanders in things like putting the Whakatane mill into public ownership and repurposing it, and maintaining 200 jobs at way less than what was spent on the Americas Cup.
Spectacle is a fleeting delight for the working class and a lifestyle for the entitled–I mean who wants last year’s Ducati parked on the lot…
Fair point – it's certainly true that the AC regatta is way more sexy than any heavy industry board mill.
It seems to me we could easily walk and chew gum here – but our productive business sector never seems to gain traction in our imagination. Contrast this with Finland – around a third of the companies listed in that link are dominant players in global markets, instantly recognisable to anyone working in them. By contrast NZ could put perhaps Fonterra and maybe Xero onto such a list.
Someone once said to me that if only NZ could learn to do business with the same passion and commitment to excellence that the All Blacks did – we would be a different place.
Problem of having businesses competing to see who can pay the lowest wages, instead of investing in plant.
Yup – totally agree.
The contrast here in Australia is quite stark.
Repurposing it to make what to sell to whom ? Plant is old lower volume and less efficient than the current – its biggest customer was its owner taking 80% of production and they are the ones shuttering it.
Yes it was quite an old machine – I can well imagine it was no longer competitive. The problem of course likely started decades ago with a lack of investment.
One aspect of papermaking (and many other heavy industrial plants) is that it's usually only economic to add new capacity in very large chunks; which in turn tends to quite quickly push older, smaller capacity out of the market.
As a result these industries, and especially papermaking, tend to have these decade long business cycles built in.
I watched parts of 3-4 races. The boats are beautiful. I wanted NZ to win but would have been over it in 10 seconds if they'd lost. In any case, the euphoria is over, and now "the faces along the bar / cling to their average day" (Auden). I wonder if there is some other hole we don't talk about that the euphoria is temporarily filling – who can know?
Yes, innovation is important – though hoping for it to occur serendipitously from doing something as peripheral as racing yachts may be an act of faith. And generating jobs and revenue for businesses is also important. So I'm not an AC hater – but the spectacle of luxury and affluent consumption at the bars and restaurants would be less galling if people at the bottom of the pile weren't struggling as they have to now.
It is not the rich who are benefitting from the cup investment. They are paying. Which is good. How many millions did Bartarelli spend in NZ. This is an occasion where we are getting the rich to spend some of their wealth into our community, instead of taking it away.
Yes slightly more than a trickle flowing when it comes to the americas cup
Be interesting to know what the gst take was like… I'll bet taxpayers get a better deal out of this than hollywood deals
very good point cricklewood.
FWIW, I was part of the "my tax-payer's $" choir. Then I watched a bit of the racing last year and was captivated.
The beauty, elegance and improbability of those craft I still find beguiling. I have since seen a fellow at Foxton getting along above the surf with a sail on a board with a bulbous rudder.
Incidentally, I imagine the "my tax-payer's $" grievance, is something that gets aired a lot on Kiwiblog or wherever tories congregate.
Agreed . Sounds like the taxpayers union…False.
Hmm. Are you suggesting that Mickysavaage and Lprent are closet Kiwiblog commentators?
They certainly seem, on this site, to be in the "my-taxpayer $" group.
lprent said, in this post "If it was 250 million of our taxes that went towards it, then I bitterly resent my ~$50-$100 of taxes that went towards it as waste of my time and work. It is a clear case where strict user-pays is a good idea."
Mickysavage said "My second response was that if survival depended on gaining more than $250 million of public money as well as all of the corporate sponsorship, television rights and advertising sloshing around then clearly the Americas Cup is not value for money".
He wasn't quite as explicit in talking about his taxes but it was pretty close.
Incidentally I should admit my own viewpoint on the matter. The New Zealand Government shouldn't have anything to do with the event and certainly shouldn't be putting money into the affair. And that includes the nearly one million dollars to get an aging English singer to gasp out his version of "Sailing".
The Government puts money into many sports, so being selective would not work.
Wouldn't public money help the sport more if invested in local sailing clubs?
"Hmm. Are you suggesting that Mickysavaage and Lprent are closet Kiwiblog commentators?"
No.
I once read a quote, 'If the airforce or army want a new fighter plane or tank, the generals and soldiers should have to run cake stalls and raffles and sponsored runs to raise the money for it, like teachers and pupils have to do for school trips or sports gear.'
Maybe the same should be said the next time some millionaires come to us wanting a yacht race.
No parade because they want to save public money.? Or are they frightened of on the ground feedback about their next move?
Personally, I much prefer NZ to be known for it's rocket launch and advanced yacht racing technology than a series of movies about a vaguely Fascist version of deep England set in rural NZ.
Thats $207 for each Auckland ratepayer.
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Give every kid a free birthday party in NZ each year. It would cost less , would stimulate the local economy, and would spread the money around – just spread it around eh!
Make this the last Americas Cup held here. We can’t continue to be beholden to the rich to keep the country alive – that’s cargo-cult territory. This is a little country trying to be a Monaco while we face three large belligerent faces, Australia, China, and the USA plus the combined group the Quad. I don't feel light-hearted about that, ready to throw dough in the air.
We need to spend money on getting our mercantile fleet organised again, and stop living it up on money Daddy got from selling some shares when there was that stock exchange burp.
Yes and maybe 1 Million dollars sing along with Rod Stuart. What a blast this would be.
"Give them bread and circuses"
JUVENAL*
"There are much more important events for us to spend out money on."
MICKY SAVAGE
Ending homelessness in this city, and even further afield, would be top of my list.
*Roman satirical poet Juvenal (c. CE 100)
(Latin panem et circenses (bread and circuses) identifies the only remaining interest of a Roman [New Zealand] populace which no longer cares for its historical birthright of political involvement).
Auckland the new Rome
'If the Auckland Council, (in the midst of a pandemic no less), can spend $113 million without batting an eyelid on epheremel frippery like the Americas Cup. Let's spend that same amount, or more, on something of lasting social worth, like social housing for instance. (That, or deliberately choose to follow ancient Rome down into social decay and decadence).
My response to Marcus Lush 😛
https://twitter.com/roblogic_/status/1372078453596385287?s=20
An LOL tweet – good fun.