Mayor silent on canoe trust fund request

The Manukau City Council has been asked for money from an outrigger trust which has been hit by a police investigation into allegations of misused funds.

Last night, the council said it would not reveal whether it would give more than $405,000 of ratepayers' money to the trust because of legal issues.

A Manukau City councillor, James Papali'i, faces theft and forgery-related charges in the Manukau District Court over the trust, from which he had resigned.

The Manukau Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis, said after a community development committee meeting considering the issue broke up last night that the police had asked the council to deal with the money request in confidential business and not to disclose its decision.

"This is a matter which on the advice of the police has been held in the confidential part of the agenda and will continue to be held in confidential session of the next council meeting," Sir Barry said.

The next meeting of the full council is on February 24.

Sir Barry said the request from the Mangere-based Manukau Outriggers Canoeing Whare Nui Trust for $405,903 would be dealt with then.

Committee chairman John Walker would not comment beyond saying: "I'm not at liberty to talk at this stage."

Mr Papali'i, 45, was arrested and appeared in the Manukau District Court on December 1, facing a number of charges of theft, forgery and uttering a forged document.

They involve his allegedly carrying out home improvements and repairs to his car with money from public grants given to the trust.

He is expected to reappear in court next week.

Mr Papali'i said throughout New Zealand there were canoes, waka and outriggers kept outside. The trust wanted to build clubrooms in Mangere where the craft could be looked after.

The Manukau City Council had provided funds for new building projects everywhere but in Mangere, he said.

Under questioning from Sir Barry Curtis and other councillors it emerged the building project would cost $948,000 but that the trust had nothing in the bank.

The trust had received a donation of $17,777 from the Manukau Boat Club but Mr Papali'i said financial liabilities amounted to $17,000.

Mr Papali'i said: "We also have assets that offset our liabilities."