Manukau City Councillors have voted against spending $40 million to partly fund a whitewater rafting course next to the Pacific Event Centre.
Councillors who opposed the grant say it will save ratepayers a one-off assessment of almost $400. One, Daniel Newman, says the decision reflects the reality of the council's financial situation.
Another councillor, former Olympian Dick Quax, says the focus on sport and recreation was not a compelling reason in itself to back the proposal.
Eleven councillors opposed the grant, while four, including former Olympian Sir John Walker supported it.
