Government's America's Cup support:

**denill** · 6th July 2007, 10:10

Do you think the Government should provide millions to support the NZ based America's Cup Challenges?

**Whynot** · 6th July 2007, 10:13

yes

but hasn't this already been discussed ......
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52996

**vifferman** · 6th July 2007, 10:14

Originally Posted by denill

Do you think the Government should provide millions to support the NZ based America's Cup Challenges?

"NZ based"?
It's not really. There are some New Zealanders in the crew, but that's the case with Oracle and Alinghi too (and other yachts).
Perhaps the Gubmint (i.e., us) should support ALL the teams?

No, I think not. Calling them "Team NZ" doesn't actually make them our representatives - they're in it for themselves (and a reasonably fat wage packet too, if the $20million PAYE they paid is anything to go by...)

**denill** · 6th July 2007, 10:20

Originally Posted by Whynot

yes

but hasn't this already been discussed ......
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52996

This thread is a Poll on the subject - to see what the consenus is.

A bit slow setting up the Poll, sorry.

**Whynot** · 6th July 2007, 10:22

Originally Posted by vifferman

"NZ based"?
It's not really. There are some New Zealanders in the crew, but that's the case with Oracle and Alinghi too (and other yachts).
Perhaps the Gubmint (i.e., us) should support ALL the teams?

No, I think not. Calling them "Team NZ" doesn't actually make them our representatives - they're in it for themselves (and a reasonably fat wage packet too, if the $20million PAYE they paid is anything to go by...)

Team NZ are "NZ Based"
The challange is organised by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland and one condition of them getting money from the government is that they will defend the cup in NZ.

**ManDownUnder** · 6th July 2007, 10:27

If the team in question brings the cup to NZ then I don't give a rats who that team is - the Govt should sponsor it.

Team NZ seems the most likely candidate of course, but if was an all Greek team sailing in our waters, NZ would still reap the economic benefits so... sponsor them.

You have to spend it to make it... SPEND IT

**Freakshow** · 6th July 2007, 10:49

Hell yes this is a sport we dominate in! Millions of international dollars are spent in NZ due to this regatta because we are the best.

There was an aerial video shot of the regatta harbour and there were about 30 inflatable protector boats that are used for umpires marshalls and controlling the spectators. They were all made here in NZ because they are the best. Most of the masts are made here because they are the best. That is to name a few of hundreds of products that are made in NZ and sold internationally because they are the best!

**Whynot** · 6th July 2007, 10:53

Originally Posted by Freakshow

Hell yes this is a sport we dominate in! Millions of international dollars are spent in NZ due to this regatta because we are the best.

There was an aerial video shot of the regatta harbour and there were about 30 inflatable protector boats that are used for umpires marshalls and controlling the spectators. They were all made here in NZ because they are the best. Most of the masts are made here because they are the best. That is to name a few of hundreds of products that are made in NZ and sold internationally because they are the best!

are you trying to say that we are the best?

**Colapop** · 6th July 2007, 10:58

I have no problems spending the money on it if it is for the benefit of a NZ team. The thing is that this sport does base itself on national pride - it is a professional sport. Good on all the kiwi's that sail for the 'opposition' they're earning an income. But the reality is this team is not a national team. Why should our government support a professional team? We have professional sports people that play sport all over the world - golf, soccer, gridiron... etc should our government buy a stake in all of the teams that they are involved in?

**denill** · 6th July 2007, 11:02

Yeah? We're the best.

So What? We're the best (sometimes) at Rugby too and how much of the World gives a rat's arse either??

**Whynot** · 6th July 2007, 11:04

Originally Posted by Colapop

But the reality is this team is not a national team.

It never has been, people just tend to make up their own minds.

Originally Posted by Colapop

Why should our government support a professional team?

Because the team is potentially going to bring a large long term international event to NZ if it wins. Which will generate revenue due to tourism, related industries etc. etc. etc.
They are also a bloody good team and have a good chance of winning it.

**denill** · 6th July 2007, 11:09

Originally Posted by Whynot

It never has been, people just tend to make up their own minds.

Because the team is potentially going to bring a large long term international event to NZ if it wins. Which will generate revenue due to tourism, related industries etc. etc. etc.
They are also a bloody good team and have a good chance of winning it.

This does go round and round!

So why not support ALL export businesses, like Winemaking, sheep farming etc. The Guvmint just taxes the shit out of them - and then gives it to the Americas Cup challenge?

**Freakshow** · 6th July 2007, 11:28

Originally Posted by denill

Yeah? We're the best.

So What? We're the best (sometimes) at Rugby too and how much of the World gives a rat's arse either??

The difference is our national team is wearing a German brand ( I think it is German ADIDAS) and not a Kiwi brand.

Yet most of the boats have Kiwi crew, parts, technology. And the regatta organisers are using kiwi products.

Sitting in middle of europe and they are shipping kiwi products from the butt end of the world. This is something to be proud of and promote as it does turn euros in the $NZD

Last time I remember the aussie rugby team were wearing caterbury clothing so wha does that say. And The government has done the right thing assisting NZ rugby to hold the worldcup that again bring money to NZ.

Isn't that the goal invest $30mill to get $100s of mill spent in the NZ economy. Sounds very close to helping a rugby team.

**Ghost_Bullet** · 6th July 2007, 13:02

At the end of the day they are team New Zealand, puts the name out there, to weather you can quantify the return on investment of 10 million dollars or not. Tourisum surley would be boosted, and even greater returns if they get the race held at home.

I am sure 10million is only a small part of the total cost to get out on the water... I am sure the govt could easily use/waste money very easy in other sectors, but this is not somthing that I would deem worthless.

Maybe though we should invest some money to buy some top Gridiron players to play for NZ to head out for the Superbowel!!!!

**Grub** · 6th July 2007, 14:08

What you have to consider is the overall cost of advertising. It's a fact of life that NZ has to sell itself. Tourism is a major income source that supports our way of life. Therefore we have to attract people by advertising.

Here's what a 30second TV advert costs for one play only in the US and what we would get for our 10 million.
- During American Idol on Fox NZ$805,000 (US$620,000) = running the ad only 11 times
- Low end, during The Office on NBC NZ$284,415 = running the ad 35 times

In case you think that 35 times is ok, it's not. For you (or anyone else) to retain and respond to the message, you have to see it all the way through and pay full attention to it no less than 3 times. For that to happen it has to be played nearly 60 times in different slots

Next thing, who believes what they see in ads anyway! Stories, background and information about New Zealand that comes via coverage of a sustained event like the americas Cup allows someone to forumlate their own view and thus be far more influenced by what they are seeing and the positive context in which they're seeing it.

To put the money in perspective, as Advertising Manager for a major NZ car manufacturer, my advertising budget for only the NZ domestic market was just over $10m

Short story, the Americas Cup is a bargain.