Orana Wildlife Park gets $1.2m ratepayer bailout

Christchurch's cash-strapped Orana Wildlife Park has been given a $1.2 million lifeline from ratepayers, with neighbouring councils also urged to chip in.The city council's Finance and Performance Committee voted on Wednesday on a staff recommendation to pay a sum towards the park's $4 million budget shortfall this financial year.But the funding pledge did come with conditions.These included a review of the park's half-year financial results against a long-term financial sustainability plan, Orana remaining open to the public, and that Orana approach other organisations for funding contributions, including the Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils, Canterbury Regional Council, central government and The Rata Foundation.In a report to councillors, staff noted the issue was a structural funding challenge rather than a short-term cashflow problem, with the park's cash reserves forecast to run out early next year.An independent analysis by consultants BDO estimated the shortfall of $4.1 million for 2026/27 would increase to approximately $4.6 million to $5.6 million each year for the following five years.Council staff would also report back on how a regional levy could be used to fund regional facilities like Orana Wildlife Park.Councillor Yani Johanson asked for an amendment that council request central government contribute immediate funding for Orana from the international visitor levy but was voted down.Fellow elected member Tim Scandrett said neighbouring councils should be helping out financially to ensure the park survived."I will be supporting this, because in the short term, I think it's now time for Selwyn and [Waimakariri] to stand up, and if they don't, then it's going to fold," he said.Councillor Jake McLellan said he was comfortable with a short-term bailout but the prospect of an ongoing multimillion dollar funding commitment "made his stomach turn"."I think that Orana Park really need to get their skates on and make sure that they put the pressure and the conversation on with Selwyn and [Waimakariri] because if they don't, I think there's a very real risk the zoo will close and that today's money will simply be delaying the inevitable."Earlier this month, councillor Aaron Keown told RNZ he would sign a cheque for the full $4 million if it was up to him and warned animals would be euthanised if the park did not receive the required funding.When debating the committee's decision on Wednesday, Keown stood up and fervently addressed his colleagues on the benefits of Orana."Let's treat these facilities properly and become the greatest little city in the world."Councillor Nathaniel Herz Jardine was one of three elected members who voted against the move and argued there were more cost-effective ways to support biodiversity."I think there is a danger that we get a bit of mission creep, you start funding things that don't really align with that strategy, and lose a bit of focus on what makes the city really work," he said."I would also like us around the table and also residents to ask yourself the difficult, somewhat awkward question, which is when was the last time that you bought a ticket to go to Orana Park?"The report said the park made a nationally significant contribution to conservation, education, tourism and community wellbeing and was home to several nationally significant conservation programmes and species, as well as breeding and release programmes for threatened native species.The country's only open-range wildlife park, Orana was the subject of multiple reviews after a 2024 1News investigation revealed a string of animal deaths and injuries at the zoo and whistleblower claims of mismanagement.The park's leaders responded by defending its track record and saying reports of poor animal welfare were "taken out of context", but the zoo stopped taking in new animals for six months based on recommendations from reviews commissioned following the allegations.The reviews did not identify systemic animal welfare concerns but highlighted the need for significant improvements across governance, organisational capability, health and safety, veterinary support, asset management and workplace culture.Orana Wildlife Park chief executive Lynn Anderson resigned in November 2024 and was replaced by Rachel Haydon in February 2025.The staff report to the committee said the move did not commit the council to ongoing funding and the $1.2 million would be considered following receipt of Orana's half-year financial results and an update on progress against its recovery programme in early 2027.The report advised delivering the funding in staged instalments to reduce council's exposure, given the park could still stop operating despite the support.The council has given Orana Park $2.375 million of funding over the past five years.