Auckland's Pride Centre is on the verge of closing after 16 years of service, citing lack of funds as the reason. Auckland Pride chairman Edward Bennett says the centre, which takes around 8000 enquiries a year, costs $70,000 to run annually, but applications for grants through various community support groups had been turned down. Applications for help lodged with the Lottery Grants Board have twice been deferred. Bennett says the centre can not carry on any longer and the only paid staff member was now working as a volunteer. “We have run out of money,” he says.