A national funding announcement which affects Wairarapa Community Law Centre has too many "fish hooks" to be considered a lifesaver yet.
Justice Minister Judith Collins recently announced her decision to secure funding for Community Law Centres in more than 140 locations for the next two years.
They have a smallnumber of paid staff and more than 1200 volunteers around the country.
Wairarapa Community Law Centre manager Murray Henderson said the release of the funding was only half of the story.
"There are still a lot of fishhooks attached to that funding," he said.
Mr Henderson said over the next few years the ministry would be looking at whether the funding will be population based as well as including a template of services.
He said population based funding would not bode well for Wairarapa, as more money would likely to be moved further north, and some services may not be offered under the new template.
Mr Henderson said the funding had been similar to past years. "The pie has been frozen for about five years now." He expected to have a clearer idea around the funding at the end of this month.
