Govt says it will invest again in America’s Cup challenge - Audio

This article deserves no further comment than ->Labour will not BE govt in the run up to the next America's Cup race..

Sean, settle down dear old boy,:) you’re going to raise your heart blood pressure. For starters, weren’t you the one opposing the Government funding for the stadium? For your information, it’s called *EMIRATES New Zealand and is as much New Zealand as Microsoft New Zealand is, etc if you know what i mean. You blurting among other things the following “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” Don’t you think you contradicting yourself here?...cheers

The government is, it seems, prepared to give more millions to keep Team NZ together until the next America's Cup chllenge. What it is giving for this will not even make a dent in the cost of another cup challenge, just keep the team together until the next challenge arises (whenever that may be). In the meantime another chance to do something positive for the women of NZ has been cast aside like a piece of unnecessary clutter. This morning there was news that the government has no intention of funding a cervical cancer vaccine. I used to say that if women ruled the country everything would be better for everybody ... Yeah Right! Get your priorities right government...the vast majority of NZers will not benefit at all from another America's Cup challenge, apart from the entertainment value.

For all those short-sighted and short-memoried folk who have the cheek to talk about not giving anything to Team New Zealand you should be ashamed to call yourselves Kiwis! The profile Team New Zealand brings to New Zealand export brands and marine industry is huge - they are basically a huge advertisement for all things NZ. Being literally the 'flag ship' for the marine industry in particular is something all New Zealanders should be proud of. As for all the whingers out there, what have you done for your country lately? If you can't put up, shut up! Let those trying to promote New Zealand do it: because whether you like it or not, the hundreds of millions the marine industry (and other exporters) gain from the profile TNZ creates indirectly benefits the whole country. Ask not what what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country ... and shame on all you detractors.

You've hit the nail on the head in regards to the crashing greenback and the ascending NZ dollar Richard. Key & his groupies need a crash course in global economics before they take the reins of power.

I don’t mind Government supporting our amateur athletes or International events such as the Olympic Games etc. But backing professional athletes? Why, these people earn (deservingly) hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. Do we get preferential bookings or discounts in hotels or restaurants; of course not, even tho they are the biggest benefactors. Return in company contracts? Yeah right, love to see the benefits for the country as whole. Didn’t a couple of marine Industries went belly up not long ago? As for tourism, well i have yet to meet someone overseas identify NZ with A.C. Lord of the Rings is what most identify NZ with.

Why are we instantly giving the sport millions of dollars while we give hardly any funding to most other sports namely Tennis, Hockey, Basketball. Its a disgrace! Let the public decide where the money should go. Also someone tell Trevor that he needs to get his head back into the 21st century as its corporation vrs corporation for the cup not country vrs country

Stacey, in the perfect world it would be great to believe the government would spend this money in better places, such as health, education, law enforcement, BUT, in reality we all know they will p*ss it up against the wall on anti smacking bills, housing NZ scams, life style benefits, dolls and DBP, not forgetting the annual politicians pay rises. At least I get to see something for my money this way.

Iam glad we are having another amercias cup,its paying off for nz,and it is my favorite sport,and iam far from rich,and itis another chance for team nz,they are brilliant team

I agree Morgan, how can the government justify its million dollar support of such a rich,minority sport? What about spending money on other sectors of our country so that more people would benifit from the tax payers dollars, eg health, education etc.