Hon Trevor Mallard : 14/08/2006
New Zealand Millennium Cup to be held in Spain
New Zealand will co-sponsor the third New Zealand Millennium Cup yachting regatta next year in Palma de Mallorca as part of a programme promoting New Zealand tourism and business during the America’s Cup regattas, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.
"A programme of leveraging events, run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Tourism New Zealand, will allow us to maximise the potential from the America’s Cup and promote and showcase New Zealand in ways that otherwise would not be possible," Trevor Mallard said in a speech to the Lowry Bay, Wellington Yacht Club.
The government through NZTE has committed $2.5 million to an America’s Cup leveraging programme, which aims to foster increased trade, investment and tourism for New Zealand and also showcase the country’s high-growth business sectors.
As part of that, the government will provide $400,000 towards the New Zealand Millennium Cup, which will be held on the final day of a four-day Superyacht Cup regatta.
This is an established fixture on the Mediterranean yacht-racing circuit that will next year be held just prior to the America’s Cup. The government contribution will be supplemented by $900,000 in corporate and marine industry sponsorship.
New Zealand’s marine, tourism, information and communications technology, textile, fashion, furnishing, design, biotech, functional foods and wine sectors are among a number of high-growth industries that will be promoted during the America’s Cup being held in Valencia.
A corporate hosting programme within the Emirates Team New Zealand base in Valencia will also continue. A New Zealand-branded hospitality centre, which highlights the country’s creativity, culture and personality, has already been in use during the America’s Cup Pre-Regattas this year with more than 1000 guests, mainly hosted by New Zealand companies, but including 100 targeted guests hosted by the government.
The centre features an interactive technology display, a New Zealand wine and cuisine experience and film and photographic displays of New Zealand.
Read speech notes for address to Lowry Bay Yacht Club, Wellington
