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Team NZ 'holding taxpayers to ransom'

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Wed, 6 Dec 2017, 9:08AM
Grant Dalton (L) and Dan Bernasconi of Team New Zealand. (Photo \ Getty Images)

Team NZ 'holding taxpayers to ransom'

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Wed, 6 Dec 2017, 9:08AM

A former Team New Zealand director has accused the syndicate of holding taxpayers to ransom, with its demand for a hosting fee.

Team New Zealand is reportedly using overseas hosting offers as leverage, to seek Government funding to cover the hosting fees for the 2021 America's Cup.

James Farmer QC was a lawyer and director on the team from 2007 to 2013.

He told Mike Hosking the demands are an insult to every New Zealander who's supported the team over the years.

"The New Zealand Government has put a huge amount of money into the team over many, many years and a lot of people - including myself - have worked very hard for no money at all."

Farmer believes Team NZ shouldn't hold an America's Cup it can't afford and the syndicate should scale back on its America's Cup plans, before demanding more money from the public purse.

"Very strange that they should really promote a new type of boat, which is going to be extremely expensive, to not only develop but also support the crew."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JAMES FARMER SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

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