Sport & recreation  |  17 Mar 2022

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SailGP will come to Whakaraupo-Lyttelton Harbour in March 2023.

Originally Whakaraupo-Lyttelton Harbour was to host Season 2 of SailGP in January 2022 but the event was cancelled because  of issues with obtaining managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) spots for the international crews coming to race.

However, a new deal was brokered that ensures Lyttelton will get two SailGP events over the next four years.

Today, SailGP confirmed the first of those events will take place from 18 to 19 March 2023.

In the meantime, Christchurch City Council is pushing on with the work to redevelop Naval Point – Te Nukutai o Tapoa.

Phase one works, which involved sealing part of the car park, upgrading utilities and making foreshore improvements, were completed at the end of last year, in time for the summer boating season.

Phase two works, which involves sealing another section of the carpark and upgrading an ageing water main, are due to begin in early April.

In partnership with Ngati Wheke, Council staff are also working on developing a waterfont walkway next to the upgraded carpark, with seating, planters and a pump track. These elements will be designed so that they can be removed to free up space when the SailGP events are on.

The work being done is all part of a $27 million redevelopment plan for Naval Point-Te Nukutai o Tapoa that was approved by the Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula Community Board in November 2020.

Full implementation of the plan will take several years.