Helicopter Trust Happy with Progress with Mayor in Resolving Funding Issue

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust has confirmed it is happy with progress in working with Mayor Len Brown to resolve its $900,000 funding gap.

A spokeswoman for the trust, Vanessa McKee, told the New Zealand Herald yesterday it was working "positively and constructively" with the mayor, his senior staff and council officers after their meeting on Monday.

"Our view is that the mayor is playing a very constructive leadership role on this issue," Ms McKee said.

"At our meeting on Monday, and again today in communication with the trust, the mayor has made a commitment to sort out the $900,000 funding gap.

"We appreciate the difficult position the mayor and councillors are in under the flawed and unworkable 2008 legislation, which meant they had no choice but to vote yes to the funding board's proposal or see all ten amenities go without funds.

"As well as sorting out the immediate funding gap, the mayor has also reconfirmed his commitment to work with the helicopter trust, the other amenities and central government to fix the flawed and unworkable legislation.

"In the meantime, the helicopter trust confirms it is in full compliance with sections 21 and 42 of the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008."

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