Chopper trust quiet over funds

A rescue helicopter trust is spending half the money it gets from the public on fundraising while another is refusing to reveal how much is spent on getting donations.

A Herald on Sunday investigation found the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust - under fire for picking up a passport for its fundraising chairwoman Michelle Boag on Friday - spends almost $1 million on administration but will not reveal its fundraising costs.

Its counterpart in Wellington spends more than $1.1 million on administration, fundraising and marketing.

ACC Minister Ruth Dyson and officials are preparing for meetings next month with the country's helicopter trusts.

Discussions are likely to touch on reducing the number of helicopters to improve the standard of those that remain - something medical experts believe would save more lives.

New Zealand has 38 registered rescue helicopters, while Australia has only 14 and Britain 19.

The meeting comes as the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust faces criticism for using the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to fetch a passport for Boag, a former National Party president.

It is also likely to now face questions from donors over its fundraising spending.

The trust has refused to reveal accounts details. However, the Herald on Sunday has learned the trust earns about $6.5m each year, spends $1.7m leasing the helicopter and $1.4m running it.

The trust has said it spends 15 per cent of its budget - $970,000 - on administration but refuses to detail how much it spends on raising funds.

"Fundraising is commercially sensitive," trust chairman Murray Bolton said. He refused to open the accounts. "I don't have to give you a reason. The answer is 'no'. We don't see any reason for you to have them."

He said the public had accountability through the trust having its accounts audited.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY