7. Question No. 7—Economic and Regional DevelopmentHELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister for Economic and Regional DevelopmentQuestion No. 7—Economic and Regional Development7. HELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister for Economic and Regional Development: What decision has the Government recently made about New Zealand securing the Sail Grand Prix competition?Hon STUART NASH (Minister for Economic and Regional Development): In tandem with the international Sail GP organisers yesterday we announced that New Zealand has secured a leg of the competition for the next four seasons. Lyttelton Harbour will be one of 10 international stopovers for season 3 of the competition which runs across 2022 and 2023 and Auckland and Christchurch will host alternative seasons after that. The Government has secured hosting rights through a partnership with the Economic Development Agencies ChristchurchNZ and Auckland Unlimited. I have approved funding of up to $5.4 million over four years from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment's major events fund and the agencies will co-fund it as well. Sail GP is one of the most exciting sailing races in the international calendar and the races on Lyttelton Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf will allow spectators to enjoy high-speed action up close.Helen White: What benefits and opportunities are expected from the Crown investment in Sail GP?Hon STUART NASH: As well as its importance to the yachting-mad communities of Auckland I'm particularly pleased we have secured the event for Christchurch. Hosting the event provides new opportunities for Christchurch to promote itself to domestic and international audiences as a destination for visitors and a place to do business from. Sail GP also has the particular focus on the environment and on diversity. It places strong emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and protecting marine ecosystems like those in the Hauraki Gulf as well as an emphasis on diversity through their pathway for women to be on their teams. These objectives align perfectly with Government priorities.Helen White: What reports has he seen regarding the importance of New Zealand securing this event?Hon STUART NASH: Sail GP is a comparatively new event but has strong Kiwi connections. New Zealand's team is headed by Olympic and America's Cup champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. America's Cup legend Sir Russell Coutts is also involved in the global competition. Peter Burling said yesterday—and I quote—There's been a huge amount of hard work that's gone on behind the scenes to bring Sail GP to Aotearoa and so we're incredibly excited to race on home waters. We've always had fantastic support from Kiwi fans." Blair Tuke has said—and I quote—"These events at home in Aotearoa will be a fantastic opportunity to share the message of ocean restoration and protection through the event's charity partner Live Ocean which uses mātauranga Māori principles to enhance scientific knowledge and improve the health of our oceans."Chris Bishop: Point of order. That was actually a very specific supplementary question which related to what reports the Minister had received and I did not hear in that answer—I heard a lot of information about various people but no reference to reports the Minister had received.SPEAKER: Well can I just say the member is suggesting that the Minister got quotes but didn't get them from anywhere. I just don't understand what he's saying.Chris Bishop: Well where were the reports? The Minister's answer has to address—SPEAKER: For goodness' sake. For a supplementary question the Minister doesn't have to indicate the source of every quote that he makes. The member knows that. He's been around here for a long time. He probably drafted a lot of those patsy supplementaries!"