Media release

America's Cup 2003 to manage Viaduct Harbour

America's Cup 2003 – the event organisation subsidiary of Team New Zealand – will manage Auckland's Viaduct Harbour for the six month duration of the next America's Cup regatta.

The agreement signed with Auckland City will give America's Cup 2003 (AC2003) the naming rights for the Auckland waterfront area, including the 'island' in the heart of the Viaduct Harbour which will be the main public viewing arena.

According to Team New Zealand and AC2003 Chief Executive Ross Blackman the arrangement relating to Council-controlled areas around the Viaduct will ensure better access for the public and more interaction between the City and the America's Cup regatta.

"This area can now truly be called the America's Cup Harbour. The agreement with Auckland City also means there will be better representation for those intimately involved and passionately interested in the ongoing success of the area," said Blackman.

He was referring to a new Viaduct Advisory Board which will be established by Auckland City and AC2003 to represent the views of organisations in the Viaduct area, including land owners, tourism groups, residents, the marine industry, locals businesses and Iwi interests.

"It is our intention to learn from the past and move forward to make the next America's Cup in Auckland even better than the last one."

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Blackman said the new responsibility would not impose an excessive burden on AC2003 because the management team had experience from the 2000 regatta.

He said AC2000 organised the most successful aspects of the last regatta, including the street parades, the opening and closing ceremonies and the memorable celebrations in the Viaduct on the day Team New Zealand won the America's Cup.

"Our aim is to continue with the vision created for the America's Cup Harbour by Sir Peter Blake. We intend to successfully defend the America's Cup on the water and present an outstanding stadium environment on the land to win the hearts and minds of New Zealanders and our global audience," said Blackman.

Auckland's Mayor, Christine Fletcher said the agreement set the scene for a continuation of the vitality around the waterfront – "and another fabulous America’s Cup event in 2003."

"The agreement benefits everybody. Auckland City is giving AC2003 Ltd a clear run at managing the area and the event, while meeting residents’ expectations for public areas that are welcoming, easily accessible and well maintained," she said.

"The eyes of the world will again be upon the Auckland waterfront for the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and other events over the next three years so it is important that once again, we do it well.”

Mrs Fletcher acknowledged that the management strategy was developed with the assistance of a large stakeholder group that participated in a consultation process initiated by Auckland City in early August.

This new structure is intended to offer other event promoters, sponsors and investors certainty via consent, usage and guidelines in relation to the America's Cup Harbour. It will create a vision and management model as a longer term solution for management of the Viaduct Harbour.

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"The public are definitely the winners following this agreement; we can look forward to increased employment, investment and activity on the waterfront. As well, we are all in for an exciting time with a wide range of yachting and other boating competition down at the harbour,” said Mrs Fletcher.

Under the new agreement, AC2003 will manage the America's Cup Harbour from October 1, 2002 until March 31, 2003 with Auckland City managing the area at other times, including the period of the Volvo Ocean race stopover in 2001.

In return for various commercial considerations, including naming and signage rights, control of vending and merchandising, and audio and video rights; AC2003 will contribute $600,000 to Auckland City for promotion of the venue and also pay the additional operating costs during the six months of the America's Cup regatta.

For further information please contact:

Murray Taylor
Media & PR
Team New Zealand

Telephone: (09) 303 2000
Mobile: 025 294 7930
Email: murray.taylor@xtra.co.nz

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