New Group to Coordinate America's Cup Activities

  • Murray McCully
Sport Fitness and Leisure

The Coalition Government has announced plans to take a coordinating role in the hosting of the America's Cup series.

Prime Minister Jim Bolger today released details of a new group, the America's Cup Taskforce as part of a Millennium structure.

The Minister responsible for establishing the group, Tourism & Sport, Fitness and Leisure Minister, Murray McCully said the Taskforce showed that central Government was taking a lead in ensuring the America's Cup was a success.

"This is the biggest event New Zealand has ever seen which has the ability to profile our country for an extended length of time it is essential that we do everything in our power to ensure that our country is seen as a perfect host."

Mr McCully said there was a number of groups involved in hosting the America's Cup including local and central Government and the Taskforce's job would be to make sure the parties worked together to ensure the benefits of the event were maximised.

"Since I have been working with those groups it has become very clear that a co-ordinating body was necessary to ensure New Zealand had a positive profile as the host country," he said.

"I see the America's Cup Taskforce as enshrining a partnership between central government and the wider Auckland region to commit to the success of the event."

Mr McCully said there were a number of long term spin-offs for New Zealand from the America's Cup series and the Taskforce would also be charged with maximising any trade and tourism opportunities.

The group would also be involved in developing branding and promotional opportunities for New Zealand available through the event and associated activities.

The America's Cup Taskforce consists of representatives from the Auckland Regional Services Trust, Auckland City Council, Team New Zealand, Auckland Regional Council, The New Zealand Tourism Board, the Auckland Mayoral Forum and the recently formed Eventscorp.

For further information please contact:
Cas Carter
Private Secretary Tourism
Ph: (04) 4719569 (Office)

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AMERICA'S CUP TASKFORCE
Purpose:

To maximise the trade, tourism and international profile opportunities to New Zealand through the America's Cup event, while adding value to New Zealand through the creation of additional revenue, increased employment, and business development. To coordinate the relevant government departments to ensure the provision of services necessary to the event, and to take an overview of the event in relation to other events on or around the time of the America's Cup event.
Membership:

Craig Little ARST
Les Mills Auckland City Council
Peter Blake Team New Zealand
Phil Warren Auckland Regional Council
Bryan Mogridge New Zealand Tourism Board
Doug Armstrong Mayoral Forum
The Minister of Sport, Fitness & Leisure, and Tourism, Hon. Murray McCully, will be the interim Chair of the America's Cup