New Zealand Government backs Emirates Team New Zealand
The Minister for the America's Cup Trevor Mallard committed the New Zealand Government's trade and tourism promotion budgets to back the Emirates Team New Zealand challenge for 2007.
The decision was based on research that found significant benefits had flowed from New Zealand's involvement in the Cup and would in the future, with the possibility of again holding the cup at Auckland. Further, the team would be based in Europe in 2006 and 2007 providing a platform for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Tourism New Zealand to work in partnership with the team and its commercial sponsors.
The team's European location will enable active promotion of New Zealand business, investment and trade and to promote New Zealand as a travel destination to a high-end tourism market.
