Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has accused the Government of breaching the brand-new Auckland Deal, firing off a series of scathing letters to ministers after they unilaterally pulled funding for the city’s 2027 SailGP event.
In correspondence with three senior Cabinet ministers, Mr Brown said the decision was made without properly consulting Auckland Council, which he described as an equitable stakeholder and co-funder of the major international sailing event. The rebuke highlights a significant early crack in the relationship between central and local government just days after the landmark city deal was celebrated.
The deal, announced with fanfare by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Mayor Brown, is intended to usher in a new era of collaboration on Auckland's infrastructure and development. However, the mayor claims this spirit of partnership was immediately violated.
A breakdown in communication
The dispute erupted after SailGP confirmed Auckland would be dropped from its 2027 calendar, citing an inability to reach an agreement on terms for the event. In an initial letter to Tourism Minister Louise Upston, Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell, Minister for Auckland Simon Watts, and the Prime Minister, Mr Brown warned the decision could have long-term consequences.
That is not a partnership approach. It is not acceptable, and we expect better.
He argued the move was made without considering Auckland’s own event investment priorities, which he said was inconsistent with the intent of the Auckland Deal. He said the loss of the high-profile sailing regatta would damage New Zealand’s international reputation, tourism appeal, and investment in the vital marine sector.
Mr Brown also stated the decision weakened Moana Auckland, the city’s annual ocean festival which had been built around SailGP as its cornerstone event. He criticised officials for a "poor judgment" that failed to recognise the event's value to the nation's technology and innovation sectors.
“Put simply, a decision like this has potentially cost New Zealand a place in SailGP for good," Mr Brown wrote. "That is a significant loss. We need to avoid a repeat of this. That requires clearer strategy, and a more disciplined approach to investment decisions where Auckland is a key delivery partner.”
Government defends its position
In a joint reply, Ministers Upston, Mitchell, and Watts defended the Government’s commitment to the city, pointing to investment in other events like the Fifa World Series, State of Origin, and an upcoming International Football Festival.
They explained that the global sailing league, SailGP, had received $6.39 million in government support from the Major Events Fund (MEF) for the 2023 to 2026 seasons. For the 2027 and 2028 events, a joint offer of $5 million per year from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) was accepted in principle in October 2025.
However, the ministers said this offer was conditional on avoiding a scheduling clash with The Ocean Race, another major round-the-world sailing event, in March 2027. Their letter stated that TAU and SailGP “could not agree on delivery dates”. They noted the Government remained open to considering funding for 2028 and 2029.
Mayor disputes government’s claims
Mr Brown immediately rejected the ministers’ explanation, claiming their central argument was false. In a second letter sent the same day he received their reply, the mayor said his counterparts had missed the point and disputed their version of events.
“Your statement that dates could not be agreed is simply wrong,” he wrote. According to the mayor, TAU had in fact agreed upon the dates of February 13-14, 2027, with SailGP and was actively coordinating with organisers of both The Ocean Race and SailGP to manage the schedule. The mayor lamented the damage done to the city’s relationship with the global racing circuit, which has seen immense growth in popularity worldwide. “Auckland has now lost SailGP for 2027, along with a significant amount of goodwill built up over the last four years of New Zealand hosting the event,” Mr Brown stated. “Another city has recognised the value of the event and secured a longer-term arrangement. That is the nature of these global circuits – once you are out, you are out. In other environmentally-focused news, Indigenous rangers partner to track shearwater's journey.”
The ongoing feud represents a rocky start for the Auckland Deal, an agreement designed to streamline planning and funding for the city's future. Such disputes over communication and decision-making could threaten the collaborative foundation the deal aims to build, impacting projects far beyond the scope of major events, such as the recent contentious restructuring of court staff.
Prime Minister weighs in
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon backed the funding withdrawal, telling reporters the proposal “frankly didn’t stack up” against the Government’s evaluation criteria. However, he admitted he was not across the specific details of the proposal.
“I can’t remember what the proposal specifics were,” Mr Luxon said, as reported by RNZ, while confirming the Government would continue conversations with the council and SailGP.
Mayor Brown has declared the issue will be the first item on the agenda at the inaugural Auckland Deal meeting between the council and Government. Meanwhile, SailGP chief executive Sir Russell Coutts said the league remains in dialogue about a potential return to Auckland from 2028, offering a glimmer of hope for sailing fans. The loss of the event is a blow to the city, which often features on lists of New Zealand’s top destinations for sport and culture.
