Helicopter trust has 'no option' but court action

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said it has no option but to head to court today over its funding.

The trust is challenging a decision by the Auckland Council-controlled Regional Amenities Funding Board to cut its funding by $750,000 over two years.

It said the trust does not need the money as it has been so successful at fundraising.

Helicopter trust chair Murray Bolton said all others wanting funding have received an increase over the past six years while their funding has continued to drop.

"We think we're being treated unfairly by the Regional Amenities Funding Board, and there's no other recourse we have other than to challenge how they're treating us in the court."

Mr Bolton said the money goes into a fund to help replace their helicopters when required.

"If you look at the track record, all of the other amenities have substantially increased their funding from this board over the last six years.

"We have been steadily reduced to 25 per cent of what we originally required, and what we originally asked for under the act."

However, Regional Amenities Funding Board chair Vern Walsh said the action is a huge waste of ratepayer money as they believe all their processes in allocating funding are robust.

"It's certainly cost in excess of $200,000 to date just for our costs. Auckland Council also have costs, and of course the helicopter trust have got costs."

The court action is expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.