SailGP row: Wayne Brown accuses Government of breaching Auckland Deal

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has condemned the New Zealand Government’s decision to pull funding for the 2027 SailGP event, warning that the move risks the city’s long-term place on the international racing circuit.

Dispute Over SailGP Auckland Funding

In a series of letters to Government ministers, Mayor Brown accused the administration of ignoring Auckland’s event investment priorities. He stated the decision is inconsistent with the commitments of the Auckland Deal, describing the current operational approach as unsustainable.

Brown argued that the loss of the 2027 event extends beyond a single cycle, potentially damaging New Zealand’s international destination profile, tourism appeal, and marine sector investment.

The Mayor further noted that the decision weakens Moana Auckland, the council’s annual ocean festival that relies on SailGP as a cornerstone, and criticized officials for failing to recognize the event’s value to the tech and innovation sectors.

The Government’s Position

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell, and Minister for Auckland Simon Watts defended the decision in a joint reply. They stated the Government remains committed to major events that provide national benefits, citing ongoing support for the Fifa World Series, Linkin Park, State of Origin, and the International Football Festival.

The ministers noted that SailGP had previously received $6.39 million through the Major Events Fund from 2023 to 2026. While a $5 million-per-year joint offer for 2027 and 2028 was accepted in principle in October 2025, it was conditional on avoiding a clash with The Ocean Race in March 2027.

The ministers claimed that Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) and SailGP could not agree on delivery dates, leading to the funding withdrawal.

Contradicting Claims and Scheduling

Mayor Brown issued a written rebuke the same day, asserting that the claim regarding disagreed-upon dates is “simply wrong.” He stated that TAU had already agreed to dates of February 13-14, 2027, and was actively managing scheduling with both SailGP and The Ocean Race.

Brown warned that because other cities have already secured longer-term arrangements, Auckland may have lost its place in the global circuit for the foreseeable future.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that the funding proposal “didn’t stack up” when run through evaluation criteria. However, Luxon acknowledged he was not across the specific details of the proposal and was unsure of the exact amount of money requested.

The Government and the league remain in dialogue regarding a possible return of the event starting in 2028.