NZ-bound superyacht for America's Cup blocked by Immigration

Published: March 9, 2021, 4:07 a.m.

The largest superyacht destined for New Zealand in time for the America's Cup has been stopped by Immigration, which says there are too many crew on board. It means New Zealand may miss out on up to $1 million-worth of business for the marine industry. The 85-metre long pleasure craft, Bold, is anchored at Fiji with more than 20 crew onboard including the vessel's super-rich owner. The yacht has the paperwork to enter NZ waters but without visas for all its crew it will bypass New Zealand and hundreds of thousands of dollars of refit business will sail away too. RNZ reporter Amy Williams talks through the details with Lisa Owen