Government's America's Cup support:

**Skyryder** · 6th July 2007, 14:45

I'm in the don't care catorgory. I can see the advantage in government sponsership then I can also see the money spent for those who better need it. Multi millionaires do not rate very high in my catorgory of the needy.

Skyryder

**Swoop** · 6th July 2007, 15:20

Well. It appears that the gummint want its pound of flesh in return.
The team members (crew/shore crew/support) are being made to have their wages paid in NZ, instead of offshore payments in US dollars.
Cullen gets his filthy hands on another source of income for his surplus.
Also, the IRD get access...

There are a lot of unhappy team members. I know of one who has said that he will be going to another syndicate simply for financial reasons.

**Dilligaf** · 6th July 2007, 15:34

Originally Posted by Ghost_Bullet

........ worthless.

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

The smiley next to it tops it off!!!!

Had to think long and hard about posting a spelling mistake, but it was too good to pass up....

Yeah you'd have to pay them lots to play in bowels....

**SARGE** · 6th July 2007, 15:54

Originally Posted by Dilligaf

Yeah you'd have to pay them lots to play in bowels....

especially one so large as to be considered ...

" Super"...

**rogson** · 6th July 2007, 16:09

Govt "investing" $10m in TeamNZ? - seems more like "gambling" to me.

Why not contract to give TeamNZ (or any team for that matter) $50m when they next hold the cup defence in NZ.

**westie** · 6th July 2007, 20:09

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...)

Thats over four years and with land based team, builders and designers(always charge too much). Its alot of people.

Maybe some volunteers would keep the cost down and lower your tax. Could any one volunteer for four years?

**Patrick** · 6th July 2007, 21:24

Probably already been said, but it is a good advertiser for NZ, attracting tourists and the like, rich or well to do, who will spend lotsa $$$. Win win for this little dot on the landscape really...

**Ghost_Bullet** · 7th July 2007, 00:05

Originally Posted by Dilligaf

The smiley next to it tops it off!!!!

Had to think long and hard about posting a spelling mistake, but it was too good to pass up....

Yeah you'd have to pay them lots to play in bowels....

Originally Posted by SARGE

especially one so large as to be considered ...

" Super"...

Gud darnit....

**onearmedbandit** · 7th July 2007, 00:14

I voted no, because of some reason but I forget.

**Kickaha** · 7th July 2007, 07:47

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

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.

If the Goverment applied that to the likes of Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and any other Kiwis competing at a international level then I might agree with you, they don't so fuck them

**denill** · 7th July 2007, 10:13

Originally Posted by Kickaha

If the Goverment applied that to the likes of Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and any other Kiwis competing at a international level then I might agree with you, they don't so fuck them

Ditto....................

**MattRSK** · 7th July 2007, 10:16

Its only money, and money will have no control once I am finished. The revolution is now!

**ManDownUnder** · 7th July 2007, 11:59

Originally Posted by Kickaha

If the Goverment applied that to the likes of Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and any other Kiwis competing at a international level then I might agree with you, they don't so fuck them

The govt has the fine line to walk though... do what's dispassionately in the best interests of NZ and not showing favour to any individual.

I see them doing that backing Team NZ. I'm not saying Josh, Ben, Shaun etc are NOT worthy recipients of support - not at all. I'm simply raising the econonmics of it all, at a national level. With the greatest of respect, I don't think any of the guys mentioned (or the events they're involved in) really rate as having economic impact that hits the radar.

Sad but true - yachting is full of the wealthy, and if we can bring 'em to NZ they spend money and we all benefit...

**Patrick** · 7th July 2007, 12:37

Originally Posted by Kickaha

If the Goverment applied that to the likes of Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and any other Kiwis competing at a international level then I might agree with you, they don't so fuck them

Therein lies the difference... the Americas Cup, right or wrong, is beamed across the world seen by millions of viewers. Josh, Ben and any other Kiwis in these fields, simply don't have the same pulling power.

**denill** · 7th July 2007, 12:43

Originally Posted by Patrick

Therein lies the difference... the Americas Cup, right or wrong, is beamed across the world seen by millions of viewers. Josh, Ben and any other Kiwis in these fields, simply don't have the same pulling power.

So do you know the viewing figures?? If Not - don't make that statement.

You may well be VERY surprised as Youthstream has a huge coverage!! And I would expect it to be bigger than America's Cup.