Officials did not return the bid for a multi-million dollar yachting event to ministers

Christchurch has been severely disappointed with the government over the SailGP yacht racing event and everything must be done to keep it afloat, city leaders have said.

The January event would be part of a multi-stage world series run by eight nations on high-speed catamarans. It was put at risk after government officials denied MIQ (managed isolation and quarantine) places to sailors and support crews.

It would be Christchurch’s first major international event since the earthquakes of 10 years ago, televised to a global audience of tens of millions of viewers, and is expected to bring in millions of dollars in the region.

Karl Budge, New Zealand event manager and commercial director of SailGP, said they had applied for MIQ places through Crown agency Sport New Zealand, and that the “significant” economic benefits of the event qualified him for registration.

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However, they were told there weren’t enough MIQ spaces, of which New Zealand has 8,000 a month.

It is understood that about half of the roughly 160 men and women who are expected to enter the country for yacht races are New Zealanders. All would be vaccinated.

The potential economic impact of the event has been estimated at between $ 21 million and $ 28 million for New Zealand and around $ 9 million for the Canterbury region. A recent race in Bermuda drew 89 million viewers.

Sports Minister Grant Robertson has confirmed that SailGP’s MIQ application has been reviewed by a panel of officials who have decided to “not move the proposal forward for ministerial review.”

“This was due to the demand received during a period of high demand for the return of the New Zealanders.”

Robertson has yet to answer questions about who the officials are and why the review of an event of such value has not been referred to a minister.

Budge said they were prepared to be as flexible as possible given tight deadlines and logistical considerations, and would consider moving the event if possible.

Robertson said all applications for future MIQ places “will be considered by officials.”

The ChristchurchNZ Promotion and Economic Development Agency has helped SailGP prepare for the event and is expected to pay a significant incentive if it goes ahead.

Christchurch City Councilor James Gough said MIQ’s refusal was “a blow” to Christchurch, which posed a “magnificent opportunity” to endanger the region.

“People were hugely disappointed. It’s not just that locals and New Zealanders are looking forward to this, but it will be an economic loss of millions of dollars.

Gough said the execution of MIQ was mismanaged and the government had “huge delays in lining up its ducks.”

“This is an idle train crash, affecting the ability of New Zealanders to return home and major events that have so much to do like SailGP. “

2022 city councilor and mayoral candidate Phil Mauger said Christchurch must do everything in its power to ensure the event takes place after “playing second to other cities”.

“It’s our time. We should bend over backwards to make his event take place in Christchurch.

“They say it’s worth $ 28 million for New Zealand and $ 9 million for the city. Surely we can come up with an MIQ, even if it’s a boutique hotel somewhere with barbed wire around for half a million dollars.

Mauger said that while the event could be postponed, summer would be the best time for SailGP to present Lyttelton Harbor and Christchurch.

Budge said that in addition to the possibility of later dates, being part of a probationary isolation program was one of the options discussed with officials.

He declined to comment on the MIQ application process.

“We can only really face what is in front of us,” he said.

“We are extremely keen to bring SailGP to Christchurch. Lyttelton Harbor would be the best site in New Zealand for the event, and it would be a privilege for us to be the first major event after the earthquakes.