Canoe trust denied grant

The Manukau City Council will not grant an outrigger trust hit by a police investigation any funds to build clubrooms and storage space in Mangere.

Last week the council community development committee said it would not reveal whether it would make a grant to the trust until next week.

But yesterday the council changed its mind to end speculation about the grant.

A Manukau City councillor and former member of the trust, the Manukau Outriggers Canoeing Whare Nui Trust, James Papali'i, faces theft and forgery-related charges in the Manukau District Court over his trust involvement. He is due back in court on Monday.

Last week the trust asked for $405,903 as a contribution towards the $948,000 project.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said yesterday the council supported the idea of an outrigger facility and accepted there was a strong need for one in the commmunity but the committee had made the right decision.

"We could only consider giving such a grant once the rest of the required funding has been found and that has not happened."