Manukau swimming pools to remain free to use

Pride in Manukau City and the low income of many of its citizens will mean swimming pools in the city will stay free to the public.

At a full council meeting last night, Jamie-Lee Ross changed his original user-pays motion, saying under-16s shouldn't have to pay.

After councillors voted 14 to three against the amendment, Mr Ross's original motion was put to the council and was lost 11 votes to six.

A third vote to retain free pool use was won by 12 votes to five.

Councillors debated the issue that could have lowered the Manukau City Council rate increase by about 0.5 per cent for about an hour.

The Mayor of Manukau, Sir Barry Curtis, was proud of the city's free swimming pools, saying they were a cornerstone of the council's community development policy along with free access to council libraries.

The free pools were admired by other councils and people throughout New Zealand, he said.

Howick councillor Mr Ross said nothing in life was free.

"Somewhere along the line someone has to pay for these services."

Mangere councillor James Papali'i said people in Mangere Central and Mangere East did not have easy access to the sea.

He asked councillors if they could comprehend poverty. Two dollars a family did not seem like much unless that family was juggling bills, paying for food and paying rent.

A pro user-pays councillor, Bob Wichman, from Papatoetoe, said: "Most kids go to pools to play, not to swim."