The Auckland mayor believes Team New Zealand will pick Auckland to host the America's Cup, even though he's ruled out paying it a hosting fee.
Emirates Team New Zealand at the finish line at the America's Cup in Bermuda 2017. Photo: Richard Gladwell
A deal clinching Auckland as the host for the 2021 defence is yet to be agreed, following unconfirmed reports last week of Abu Dhabi and the Russian resort of Sochi expressing interest in hosting the event.
Speaking on the TV3 programme The Nation today, Phil Goff ruled out paying Team New Zealand a $116m hosting fee to ensure the America's Cup is held in the city.
The mayor said he was not prepared to spend that much ratepayers' money on such a fee, when there were other priorities, such as transport.
"Am I going to compete with Sochi, the Russian mafia in that city and the Middle East, Abu Dhabi, to pay $116m? NOT on your life"
Auckland Council was happy to put money into infrastructure, including bringing forward developments of the waterfront, he said.
"There is a bottom line for us. I'm the guardian for your money, and the ratepayers money and I don't have $116m or anything of a fraction like that to throw at it."
His refusal to pay would not send Team New Zealand elsewhere, he said.
"Do I think Team New Zealand will walk awy from Auckland? I don't think so, we have the best harbour in the world to do this, they are patriotic New Zealanders and they want to have the cup here."