Changes to the trust's structure recommended by an independent specialist were appropriate, he said.
These included changing from a "membership-based structure to a community-appointment based structure" and "the helicopter operator should not have a right to appoint a trustee".
"Presumably this was to avoid the risk of a perception that the operator could influence the direction of the trust or use the trust to its own advantage. Skyline's response was that if it could not appoint a trustee then neither should LCL [Lowe Corporation] or the HB District Health Board," Mr Lowe said.
He believed Lowe Corporation was in a quite different position to Skyline Aviation. Mr Lowe said until the structure was changed for the reasons recommended, Lowe Corporation was concerned about perceptions "valuable funds are being wasted or benefiting third parties beyond what is fair and commercially realistic".
Skyline Aviation managing director Mike Toogood said yesterday his organisation had signalled to trust chairman Andy Train it was happy to relinquish its rights to appoint a trustee. Its appointee, John Roil, was a well-respected businessman tapped for his community links and business skills and was not an employee of the company.
Mr Toogood noted sponsor Lowe Corporation also had a representative on the trust.
"He also has a sign off on the contractor's payments," Mr Toogood said.
"He has to be in agreement with what we're being paid so there's no smoking gun. There is no lack of transparency."
There was a signed service agreement between the trust and Skyline Aviation which dealt with contract arrangements, including the basis which Skyline was paid for its services.
"The Skyline representative on the trust is excluded from any part of those negotiations," Mr Toogood said.
"As the trustees approve the entire content of the service agreement with the operator, including the basis of payment, it is incredulous for any party to suggest a proper process is not in place."
