The Auckland Council has approved a $14.3 million funding package for 10 regional amenities, which includes a cut for the Westpac helicopter rescue service.
The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board can now distribute the money to the 10 cultural, arts and rescue services.
The board has cut funding this year to the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust from $900,000 to $450,000.
Councillors will consider a promise by Mayor Len Brown to fill a $900,000 funding gap in the helicopter trust's running costs at a budget meeting this afternoon.
The trust sought $1.35 million to maintain levels of service this year, but the board believed $450,000 was appropriate.
