The full statement was so carefully crafted that it stopped short of being an apology. But an apology it was, as it should have been. Quick rewind : In 2017, largely self-funded, Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup. It won the both trophy and the ownership of its next defence, which it brought back to Auckland. As occurred in 2000 and 2003, the team signed a detailed agreement with the government, securing the event for Auckland, with the Government contributing $40 million towards the cost of staging the cup. The “super-ministry” MBIE with tourism, and economic development among its roles became the “partner” of Team New Zealand, and the sister company America’s Cup Event Limited (ACE).
While the statement makes no specific reference to wider disagreements set to be decided by mediation,
Stuff understands all outstanding disputes between Team NZ, ACE and MBIE, are over. Without attribution to any person, the MBIE statement said: “We regret the manner in which this issue has played out in the public arena and the detrimental reputational impact of the process on ETNZ and ACE, its directors and the teams.”
Hannah Peters/Getty Images The unattributed MBIE statement came a week after the Ministry released information to In August, days before the release of the final audit which disproved whistleblower allegations against the team, MBIE’s Tourism general manager Iain Cossar texted the chief executive Carolyn Tremain.
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