Chopper cash cut in half

Aucklanders rely on the Westpac rescue helicopter. Photo / Chris Loufte

Funding body says trust a big success and needs less help.

New Zealand's largest rescue helicopter service has had its funding cut for the second time in two years with a funding body proposing to slash its 2014 grant by half.

The cut is being described as a slap in the face to people who work hard to save lives.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust chief executive Murray Bolton is furious the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board will give the trust $450,000 to operate next year - down from $900,000 this year and well short of the $1.5 million the trust sought. He said it was too early to know how the cut would affect the service but it was a major hole to fill.

Chairman of the amenities funding board Vern Walsh says the cutback recognises superb fundraising efforts by the rescue service and its diminishing reliance on ratepayers.

The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board is an independent agency set up by the Government to fund community organisations. It gets the money from levies imposed on all of the territorial local authorities in the Auckland region.

The 10 amenities that receive funding are Stardome Observatory, Voyager Maritime Museum, Auckland Philharmonia, New Zealand Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, Auckland Arts Festival, Coastguard Northern Region, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region, Watersafe Auckland and the Auckland Regional Rescue Helicopter.

The helicopter trust has already launched a High Court challenge, seeking a judicial review.

Bolton said the cut was a demoralising blow.

"There are people working their a*** off, and risking their own lives at times, and just getting a slap in the face from these guys."

He accused the funding board of being dominated and controlled by arts organisations.

Walsh said the money was pegged back in next year's budget because the air rescue operation was a financial success.

"They're a very, very successful operation that Aucklanders should be particularly proud of."

Walsh confirmed the only public amenity to have a substantial reduction in funding for next year's budget was the helicopter trust.

He also said the helicopter trust had money set aside in a separate account that it could tap into, though Bolton said that money was being accrued to buy new helicopters to replace its ageing fleet.

Walsh also said the Charities Register showed the trust took more money through public donations than some other charities.

Walsh said the draft plan would be published next month and the public would have a month to comment before a final recommendation goes to Auckland Council.