Fellow Kiwis! It's time!  It's time to stand up to greed! It's time to reclaim our name...

It's time that we strip the 'New Zealand' part from the 'Emirates Team New Zealand' America's Cup team name!

They are not 'Team New Zealand', they are a bunch of greedy upper-class doongies, frolicking about on their obscenely expensive toys, chasing every last penny and trying to extort their tax-paying fan-base of hard-working New Zealanders for their own immense financial gain.  They aren't actually representing 'us', they're representing Emirates!!!  Have a look at their boat, people!!! It is emblazoned with 'Emirates' and 'Omega', 'Toyota' and even 'McDonalds'... where is 'New Zealand' proudly displayed? Tiny little flag at the top of the sail - Ammiriiiiight?!

Today we learned that 'Emirates [so-called] Team New Zealand' has "officially rejected the Government's $99 million bid to host the next America's Cup" ... 

Let's look at that, people: $99 million... from a nation in the midst of COVID-19-impacted economic climate.  Not to mention the fact that [so-called] 'Team New Zealand' has received government assistance following every America's Cup event since 2003. Last year alone, with a COVID-19-impacted event that saw very significant financial loss for the NZ government & Auckland council hosting the event* the NZ Government contributed a total of $136.5m [so-called] 'Team New Zealand's' successful Cup defence, including $40m cash to deliver and manage the event.  This does NOT include the $113 million spent on infrastructure (as this will be a legacy investment not purely for the gain of [so-called] 'Team New Zealand').  Not to mention their free-lodging at their prime waterfront base has been worth $5m per year to them too.

I’m reminded of the saying: “There is no such thing as ‘Government-Funded’, only ‘Tax-Payer Funded’”… so remember, we’re paying for this. [And the whole country is paying! Either through the contribution of their taxes etc or by missing out on funding to regional projects/initiatives thanks to the money going towards this.]

And after every defence the extortion begins again as stupid-egg grumpy ol' Granty boy start holding the government and Auckland Council to ransom for more money.  More more more.  "If you don't pay more we'll go overseas" (please read this preceding 'quote' in a snide whiney high-pitched voice - it will make you feel better) - every - single - time.  Well go then!!! We don't want you!!!

And every time all their [predominantly rich, and - let's call a spade a spade - upper-class white Aucklanders] supporters quote “significant economic boosts” coming from the investment** "Oh eh what, pip pip hoorah it brings lots of money into the economy old bean, it's a no-brainer investment...time for another bubbles darling? oh a brandy instead? certainly pooky-kins I'll get the Remy Martin from the pool house darling" ... but does it?!  Noooo... If you look at it from a holistic perspective you can really question these narrowly focused estimates and assessments - There is doubt as to whether those estimates include actual "additional money" or simply reflect displaced money ***.  And what would the benefits be if that money was spent elsewhere? Has that been considered?

People of New Zealand!!! Hard-working, non 'sailing-privileged-dingalings' people of New Zealand, do you know what benefit 99 million dollars could do if spent elsewhere in New Zealand?  Let's just think about it...

• On the Health sector for example? What intangible benefits would an investment of $99 million into health infrastructure across the country bring? Hmmm I wonder
• ...On Education? A 99 million dollar boost to the education, support and development of our nation's children?  Could there be an economic benefit there too long term? *gasp* MAYBE!!!
• ...On any number of causes?? Social uplifts? Caring for Vulnerable sectors of society? Roading? Public Transport? Climate Change initiatives?
• ...Anything that isn't a bunch of over-privileged douchebags racing around a harbour on obscenely expensive boats for huge pay cheques?  Seriously... just imagine it for one minute!!!
• and not JUST for Auckland either!

...the list is as endless as a race day on the Waitemata Harbour when there is no wind!!!

This is crazy New Zealand!!!

Don't stand for it anymore!!!!!

Let's strip these greedy stupid-heads of the right to name themselves 'Team New Zealand', they do not represent New Zealand and they clearly don't hold any sense of national loyalty - they are purely chasing the highest bidder.  So let's call the team what it really is - some possible suggestions include:

• Team Emirates (that's what they really are anyway!)
• Team Rich Dudes Getting Richer
• Team Disloyal Douchebags
• Team Epitome of White Privilege
• Team Mercenarial Traitors
• Team We Don't Want You Anyway, Sailing Is Boring, Go Somewhere Else Just Don't Pretend To Be A Team For New Zealand By Having 'Team New Zealand' In Your Name.

...I'll admit the last name doesn't have the same snappy zing to it as some of the others, but it's pretty apt.. and, if I'm splitting hairs, it kind of defeats the purpose of this petition by including the word 'New Zealand' in there twice now...  but you get my point ;P

I'm just spit-balling here and to be honest I don't care what they call themselves as long as they aren't pretending to be Team New Zealand... you've lost that right Granty boy.

As a country we need to lose our frantic, embarrassing, overly-parochial small-nation-syndrome desperation to attach our name to anything - and we really need to drop this obsessive fixation with sports. When Scott Dixon races in Indy Car we all celebrate his success, but we don’t say he’s racing for ‘Chip Ganassi Racing Team New Zealand’ - he races for a commercially-sponsored team and good for him. Let that be the case here too. I’m not saying that Grant and the boys can’t still play with their toy boats - all power to you, go where you want, do what you want, get whatever money you can - but in leaving NZ, and selling yourself to the highest commercial bidder you aren’t ‘Team New Zealand’… and we’ll spend $99 million on more important things.

 

Come on Jacinda, it's time to reclaim the 'New Zealand' from 'Emirates Team New Zealand' - we all know they don't deserve it.

Support this Petition - Show them how we really feel!!!

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* In 2017 when the funds were committed, up to 26,000 overseas visitors were expected to pump up to $1b into the economy. But fewer than 500 ended up being let through the border, most of those connected with the racing boats.

** Estimated economic benefits of hosting the America's Cup
2000: $495m to New Zealand, $397m to Auckland
2003: $529m to New Zealand, $450m to Auckland
Sources: Auckland Council, MBIE

*** From: 'Does the cost of America's Cup tally up for Auckland?' - NZ Herald

However, there is scepticism about whether the numbers really add up and if it's really possible to quantify the benefits of such an event.

As independent economist Shamubeel Eaqub pointed out, the $200m to be spent is money Auckland Council or the Government could be spending somewhere else.

"The thing with these kind of events is there might be a lot of activity that relates to the America's Cup but it doesn't necessarily mean it's extra," he said.

"It just means it's displaced some other kind of activity. That's why you have to be really careful with this economic impact stuff because what they'll do is look at these very specific aspects ... but not at where the money is coming from or whether or not it displaces other activities."

Furthermore, while visitor numbers tended to shoot up during such events, there was a notable decline in the months preceding and following them, Eaqub said.

Equally, the domestic money that was spent during the event wasn't "new money" - it was money that would have been spent anyway.