Peter Ansell of Volvo Ocean Race team, speaks at the event opening, Auckland Viaduct Basin.
The Volvo Ocean Race event has been launched in Auckland with a pōwhiri at the Viaduct Harbour.
Although the boats aren't due to arrive until Wednesday, the race village opened at 10am.
Minister for Economic Development David Parker, Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore and representatives from Ngāti Whātua Orākei werein attendance to welcome Volvo Ocean Race operations director Peter Ansell and other staff to the City of Sails.
Ngāti Whātua Orākei representatives at the Volvo Ocean Race village opening. Photo / Michael Craig
Parker said Auckland had a lengthy history with the race, having hosted it 10 times in the past 46 years.
He paid tribute to Sir Peter Blake and Grant Dalton who had competed in previous races, as well as Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and Bianca Cook, who are among seven New Zealanders participating this year. Cook is the first woman competitor in two decades.
Spending months at sea - often in uncomfortable conditions - required grit, Parker said.
"The [Volvo] Ocean Race is a true test of endurance and yachting expertise."
He said hosting the event would help showcase the expertise and technology of Auckland's marine industry, and give visitors a chance to enjoy some Kiwi hospitality.
Volvo Ocean Race operations director Peter Ansell speaks at the opening of the event's "village". Photo / Michael Craig
Members of the public, hotel staff and taxi drivers would always ask questions about the racing while it was on, he said.
Grant Calder, delivery manager of the Auckland stopover, told the Herald he was expecting 500,000 people to visit the race village during the next 23 days and 50,000 to go there to watch The New Zealand Herald In Port Race in the harbour on March 10.
It was the race's history in Auckland that made it so popular, he said.
