SailGP confirmed this week Auckland would not feature on its 2027 schedule. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has lambasted the Government for breaching the Auckland city deal only days after it was announced, after ministers declined funding for next year’s SailGP event.
In a sharply worded letter to three Cabinet ministers, Brown said ministers pulled the funding before fully consulting with the council as an equitable stakeholder.
“Auckland Council was not advised that MBIE would be declining funding before the decision was made. That is despite our role as a co-funder and despite the commitments set out in the Auckland Deal,” Brown wrote.
“That is not a partnership approach. It is not acceptable, and we expect better.”
SailGP confirmed this week Auckland would not feature on its 2027 schedule, saying it had been unable to reach an agreement on terms.
Chief executive Sir Russell Coutts said the league remained in dialogue with the Government and council about a possible return from 2028.
Brown’s letter was addressed to Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell and Minister for Auckland Simon Watts.
The written rebuke was a response to a joint reply Brown had received from the three ministers defending the decision, after he’d sent an earlier letter, which had included Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, asking why the council hadn’t been consulted on the decision to pull funding for the event.
In a letter dated April 21, Brown advised Upston, Mitchell, Watts and Luxon that he had written to MBIE chief executive Nic Blakeley regarding the decision not to fund SailGP in 2027.
Brown went on to accuse the Government of making the decision without regard for Auckland’s event investment priorities, which he said was inconsistent with both the intent and the commitments of the Auckland Deal.
“That is not a sustainable way to operate if central and local government are expected to jointly fund and deliver outcomes,” he wrote.
“You are responsible for the culture change required to deliver on the Auckland Deal and I suggest you start with reminding those who were responsible for this mistake.”
The consequences of the decision would extend beyond a single event cycle, with the loss risking New Zealand’s exclusion from the SailGP circuit for the foreseeable future at a cost to the country’s international destination profile, tourism appeal and marine sector investment, he said.
The decision also weakened Moana Auckland, the council’s annual ocean festival built around SailGP as a cornerstone.
Brown criticised Government officials for failing to see the event’s value to the tech and innovation sector.
“Put simply, a decision like this has potentially cost New Zealand a place in SailGP for good. That is a significant loss off the back of what can only be described as poor judgment.
“We need to avoid a repeat of this. That requires clearer strategy, and a more disciplined approach to investment decisions where Auckland is a key delivery partner.”
Upston, Mitchell and Watts said in their joint reply, dated April 23, the Government remained committed to supporting major events that generated national benefits and showcased New Zealand.
“Auckland continues to be well supported with Government funding in this regard, with investment in events such as the Fifa World Series, Linkin Park, and recently announced events including State of Origin and the International Football Festival.”
The ministers’ letter went on to explain SailGP received $6.39 million from 2023 to 2026 through the Major Events Fund (MEF).
In October 2025, a $5m-a-year joint offer from MBIE and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) for the 2027 and 2028 events was accepted in principle, conditional on avoiding a clash with a longstanding round-the-world event, The Ocean Race, in March 2027.
The ministers’ letter said TAU and SailGP could not agree on delivery dates.
“Going forward, I would note that the Government remains open to considering investment in the 2028 and 2029 SailGP events, and remains open to discussing the 2027 event if timing allows.
“We also note your view regarding consultation in the lead-up to this decision.”
Brown responded in writing the same day, saying the ministers had missed the point of his initial letter and disputing their claim dates for the event could not be agreed.
TAU had agreed dates of February 13-14, 2027, with SailGP and was actively working with SailGP and The Ocean Race to manage scheduling, Brown said.
“Your statement that dates could not be agreed is simply wrong.
“Auckland has now lost SailGP for 2027, along with a significant amount of goodwill built up over the last four years of New Zealand hosting the event.
“Another city has recognised the value of the event and secured a longer-term arrangement. That is the nature of these global circuits – once you are out, you are out.”
Brown finished the letter by saying the issue would be the first discussion point at the inaugural Auckland Deal meeting being arranged between the council and Government.
Luxon told reporters on Friday morning that the proposal for funding SailGP in Auckland did not stack up, but distanced himself from it and acknowledged he was not across the details.
“We’ll continue our conversations with Auckland Council and SailGP but the proposal we received just frankly didn’t stack up,” he said.
RNZ reported that Luxon was unsure how much money the Government was being asked to provide.
“I can’t remember what the proposal specifics were, but when we ran it through our evaluation criteria it just didn’t stack up.”
Mike Scott has covered stories across New Zealand and internationally for more than 20 years. His work spans writing, photography and video and has won numerous journalism awards.
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