Local Community Gears-Up For the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, Christchurch

With tickets for the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, Christchurch selling fast, residents heard more about the global event’s background, environmental ethos, plans to involve the local community and work underway to manage logistics in the harbour township when the race is on.

Questions from the packed Lyttelton Arts Factory venue floor ranged from the detail of how visitors, traffic and parking would be managed in the small township during the event, through to the expected global viewing audience and how to get the best view from a kayak on the harbour.

Welcomed by Maui Stuart of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki, SailGP Head of Event Karl Budge kicked off the night with an overview of the global championship, its purpose, why Lyttelton was chosen as one of 11 global venues for SailGP Season 3, how it will benefit the region and what locals can expect on race days.

“Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour will be a venue like no other for SailGP. Event-goers will be up-close to the action on the water, with Naval Point grandstands just 40m from the course, which is visually stunning in a unique natural amphitheatre. As the first-ever carbon positive sporting event in the world, we are proud to host this leg of the event in such an amazing natural environment,” said Budge.

“There will also be plenty of opportunities for locals to get involved in the action, whether through our volunteer scheme, youth internships, school outreach programme, community activations and more.”

Budge also outlined details of how ticket-holders and boaties can view the event and sought feedback on the draft traffic management plan for the surrounding area.

“The goal of our traffic management plan is to minimise the impacts on the local community. We’re looking for feedback on the plan now and we’ve already had some good ideas to consider.”

Vehicle access to Lyttelton from midday on race days will be restricted to those with a resident access pass, emergency vehicles and public transport. Free shuttles will carry ticket-holders from the Central City Live Site near Te Pae to Lyttelton throughout the day. Parking restrictions will be in place around the township. Find out more at www.christchurchnz.com/sailgp.

Residents at last night’s forum were keen to understand the detail of the plan and offered feedback which will be taken into consideration – such as specific residents’ parking spaces and accessibility matters. They were also keen to hear how the township and wider region would be promoted and what that might mean for the community.

ChristchurchNZ Acting General Manager Destination and Attraction Tracey Wilson outlined the likely impact of hosting the event, with 15,000 expected attendees in Lyttelton, 5000 people at the Central City Live Site, at least $3.2m in tourism expenditure, a global viewing audience of around 50 million and a quantified benefit estimated at $10.32million to the region.

“This is an exceptional opportunity to showcase to the world everything our region has to offer. Our pristine harbour, vibrant central city, unparalleled natural environment and our unique cultural narrative will be on display to a global audience. We are excited about working in partnership with NZ Major Events, Christchurch City Council, Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki and SailGP to bring this event to the city, along with all of the benefits that major events deliver.”