16 Aug 2021

Share this story

Work at Naval Point-Te Nukutai o Tapoa will continue despite some uncertainty about when the New Zealand SailGP event will happen.

Athletes and support crew have been unable to secure spaces in managed isolation (MIQ) so they can enter New Zealand for the Christchurch leg of the international racing series that is scheduled to take place at Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour on 29 and 30 January 2022.

ChristchurchNZ, which won the right to host the event, and SailGP are continuing to have discussions with the Government about how, and when, racing can go ahead.

“Along with SailGP, we remain committed to bringing SailGP to Christchurch so that Kiwis can experience the thrills of this high-speed racing in person along with the social and economic benefits it would bring, but want to ensure the event can proceed safely and are taking the time to ensure that is possible,’’ says ChristchurchNZ General Manager Destination and Attraction Loren Heaphy.

In the meantime work on phase one of the Naval Point Development Plan will continue, as will the scheduled work to upgrade the public toilets on Oxford Street, next to the Lyttelton Information Centre.

“Regardless of the racing coming in January or not, we are committed to implementing the Naval Point Development Plan. We are also hopeful that SailGP will be held at Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour in the future and will support discussions underway with Central Government about the event’s future,” says Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge.

The plan to redevelop Lyttelton’s Naval Point-Te Nukutai o Tapoa was approved by the Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula Community Board in November 2020. An ageing water main has already been replaced on the site, utilities are being upgraded and foreshore improvements have been made.

Implementation of the plan is estimated at $27 million and will take place in stages over several years as funding becomes available. The first phase is being funded through the existing project budget.