A multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded cash injection for Team NZ's next bid to win the Auld Mug is most likely under a National-led Government, but far from certain if the Labour Party wins the election.
Of the party leaders put under the spotlight during the Herald's Fast Fire questions, only John Key, Peter Dunne and Te Ururoa Flavell offered support; Mr Flavell's support was conditional on tangible benefits to Maoridom.
Labour leader David Cunliffe questioned the public's appetite for more Government backing.
MORE FAST FIRE
- Legalising cannabis
- Solving Inequality
- Who's their hero?
"We'd have to look at it. I think the public is beginning to tire, but we've got an open mind."
Mana leader Hone Harawira said it was a "wasted exercise" and "pointless".
"We've spent $100 million dollars already to lose two yacht races. While we've been doing that, we've had more than a quarter of a million children in this country living in poverty, every single year for the last 10 years."
Act leader Jamie Whyte said a Government grant amounted to compulsory financial support for a private event.
"I don't think people should be forced to support the America's Cup."
The Government has signalled it would likely provide more money to Team NZ, if re-elected.
It has already provided $5 million to help keep Team NZ afloat while it decided whether to amount another challenge.
The decision, in June, to challenge again was accompanied by a deal for private sponsorship, understood to be worth $10 million. The announcement was made as Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton faced questions over his annual salary of about $2 million during the last challenge.
The Government contributed $36 million to Team NZ's last campaign, which ended in an 8-9 loss to Oracle in the closest America's Cup in history. An independent evaluation released in March this year showed a positive impact of $87 million on the New Zealand economy.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said the Government would see a business proposal from Team NZ after the venues for the next regatta were decided.
"We'll assess that at the time. It's not expected to be decided before the election.
"A re-elected National Government would make a decision on whether to provide further funding to Team NZ and how much based on the economic benefit it would bring to New Zealand, and in particular to our exporters."
IN THE HOT SEAT
Russel Norman and Metiria Turei, Greens
Hone Harawira and Laila Harre, Internet-Mana