NZ: America’s Cup a ‘waste of money’

The New Zealand government should not waste any more money on Team New Zealand’s bid for the next America’s Cup but fund winning teams like the All Blacks to Samoa and its world champion waka ama teams says Mana Party candidate for Mangere James Papali’i.

Papali’i revealed that the world champion New Zealand masters waka ama team will not be defending their title at the next World Cup in Rio de Janeiro because of lack of funds.

SPARC has refused to fund them despite waka ama being the fastest growing new aquatic sport in the world.

Nearly 90 per cent of Kiwis surveyed by TV3’s Campbell Live show recently supported John Campbell’s call for the AB’s to visit Samoa.

“The long awaited visit to Samoa by the All Blacks will have huge social profit value but also provide future All Blacks with a pool of Samoa’s best players to help the All Black brand keep on winning,” Papali’i said.

Legendary All Black Leaauli Michael Jones said that he and many others have been trying since 2003 to get the All Blacks to visit – not only to his cultural home – but the home of other player’s like captain Tama Umaga, Christian Cullen, Bryan Williams, Inga Tuigamala, Olo Brown and present players Julian Savea and Ma’a Nonu to name a few.

Over $40 million of taxpayers’ money was spent on the last America’s Cup campaign when they lost after leading 8-1 at one stage.

“It seems this government is only supporting the rich man’s sport even if they lose but not New Zealand’s All Black brand in their player’s cultural home and other world cup holders,” Papali’i said.

“If the government is prepared to waste millions on the failed Team New Zealand project, surely supporting winners like the All Blacks to Samoa and a world champion waka ama crew is a better investment.”

Papali’i was endorsed on Friday night to be its Mangere candidate in the coming general election.

He was born in Mangere and is of Samoan-Irish descent.

Papali’i and his associate set up the first waka ama club in South Auckland in 1988 called the Manukau Outriggers Canoeing Club.

Papali’i was educated at Mangere College and graduated from Auckland University with a BA in 1984 and a post graduate diploma in Social Policy in 2002.