NZ Marine Industry association president Myles Fothergill. Photo/ John Borren
NZ Marine Industry association president Myles Fothergill. Photo/ John Borren
Q-West director Myles Fothergill is urging the Government to financially back an America's Cup defence in Auckland.
Emirates Team New Zealand wrapped up a 7-1 victory over Oracle yesterday to wrest the Auld Mug from the Americans.
Mr Fothergill, boss of the Whanganui boat-building company and chairman of the council'seconomic development arm, Whanganui and Partners, has been in Bermuda watching the racing and described the atmosphere yesterday as "just electric".
"We got here at 11am and got a viewing position right off the start and finish lines," he said.
"The boats are right there, today they were very close ... it's just mind-blowing. Absolutely humbled to see Kiwis at such epic events."
Speaking to the Chronicle from a ferry on the Great Sound just hours after the race he said an America's Cup regatta held in New Zealand would be a huge boost for the country.
Team New Zealand have said they will start to reveal details for the next America's Cup in the coming weeks but many people anticipate it being held in Auckland.
And Mr Fothergill - who is also the president of the NZ Marine Industry Association - hopes that will happen.
"They're not giving anything away, but they said they'll talk about it over the next couple of weeks," he said.
"There wouldn't be a person in that team who didn't want it to come home.
"The key thing is that the Government support this financially to ensure that the cup is defended in New Zealand."
Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling and skipper Glenn Ashby lift the Auld Mug. Photo/ Gregory Bull
He said it would be a huge boost for the marine industry, with much more than just racing boats needing to be built, and there would be spinoffs for other industries such and tourism and hospitality.
The NZ Marine Industry Association has pointed out that Kiwi ingenuity was behind both finalists' vessels - Oracle Team USA built by Core Builders of Warkworth, and Emirates Team NZ by Southern Spars of Avondale.
"Key suppliers to both teams have shown once again the capability of the New Zealand marine industry; New Zealand's largest manufacturing sector outside of the primary sector."
Mr Fothergill echoed the association view that a key competitive advantage NZ marine companies had was an industry training organisation which was the world's leading apprenticeship programme.
"This programme continues to supply the New Zealand boat building industry with the most respected boatbuilders world wide."
The association said the Team New Zealand's success gave the local marine industry international business opportunities and "with the right planning and investment by central and local government, gives New Zealand the opportunity to make a significant point of difference to New Zealand as a country."
"But this is not just about the New Zealand marine industry," Mr Fothergill said.
