The land at Wynyard Point, which is currently fenced off, was deemed to be a health and safety risk as the remediation process is yet to be completed. The process involves sifting and turning excavated contaminated soil, and placing it in large piles with pipes inserted inside to pump air and amendments in; a process which speeds up the natural process of the containments breaking down.
The process is being overseen by Eke Panuku Development Auckland but is being carried out by a third party, which complicates their ability to make it available for short-term use. The bioremediation work was impacted by the severe weather events earlier in the year and has taken longer than anticipated, a spokesperson for Eke Panuku Development Auckland said.
The Herald understands the infrastructure used during the 36th America’s Cup – including the team bases, Hobson, Halsey and Wynyard Wharves and the breakwaters, as well as Hamer St itself – were made available to SailGP as alternatives.
Hill said Tātaki Auckland Unlimited had not provided SailGP with assurances that the land would be ready for use in time for the event, and that the parties had been in discussions after the issue was identified months ago.
“I’d love the event to be here but at the end of the day, they are concerned with the quality of the event they put on and they have to own that experience. They have very particular views about what that is and if they don’t feel comfortable about putting it on, we’d rather not have an event that’s not a great event,” Hill said.
“It would’ve had fewer spectators, it would’ve been more disaggregated and less of creating an atmosphere where you go along and watch it. I think SailGP is quite influenced in F1 and the experience in F1. They want their sponsors to experience that sort of thing and if you’ve got a bunch of disaggregated things across the waterfront, it’s just not the same thing.”
Hill estimated Auckland was looking at a $5 million boost from hosting the event and said they would continue talks with Coutts about hosting SailGP in the future, either in 2025 or beyond. As it stands, SailGP is looking at the potential alternatives to host their New Zealand event in late March.
Last year’s event was hosted in Lyttelton and Hill believed it was a possibility the look to return there. However, the league has given no indication as to where they might be looking to move the event to.
“SailGP continues to work with its partners, including relevant local and central government agencies, to progress planning for its season-four New Zealand event [across] March 23-24, 2024,” a league statement said.
“We will share more information as soon as it is available.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
