Christchurch city councillors will consider a report on Orana Wildlife Park’s financial crisis on Tuesday, as government agencies work with the park on contingency scenarios for its native species.

The developments follow revelations Orana needs to raise $4.1 million to secure its immediate future, with cash reserves forecast to run out in March 2027.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger confirmed the park had raised the situation with the council.

“Orana Park has made us aware of the situation through discussions we’ve been having,” Mauger said in a statement to chrislynchmedia.com.

“I understand staff are preparing a report for consideration at an upcoming meeting on Tuesday morning.”

He did not say whether he supported using ratepayer money to help keep the park open or how much the council could be asked to contribute.

Orana board co-chair Ken Hughey earlier told chrislynchmedia.com the request made to the council was well short of the park’s full $4.1 million shortfall.

“Council is a key partner, but Orana can’t ask Council to solve this alone,” Hughey said.

Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka said Orana had been a Department of Conservation partner for many years and had managed breeding programmes for some of New Zealand’s most threatened species.

“I understand DOC is currently working with Orana Park and with MPI, which is the government agency responsible for regulating zoos and wildlife parks, on various scenarios and plans, if required, for the native species held at the park,” Potaka said.

He did not commit the Government to providing emergency funding.

“I also understand the park is looking at all kinds of fundraising options going forward, local council help, the community, and philanthropy.”

Orana is one of only two facilities breeding kākāriki karaka, New Zealand’s rarest parakeet, for release into the wild.

More than 350 endangered native birds, including whio, pāteke and kiwi, have been bred at the park and released.

ChristchurchNZ Head of Destination Kath Low described Orana as an important regional asset which supported tourism, employment, conservation and education.

“Attractions such as Orana Park play an important role in encouraging visitor spend, supporting jobs directly and indirectly, and strengthening Christchurch’s overall tourism offering,” Low said.

“Their value extends beyond visitor expenditure through education, conservation, community engagement and enhancing the attractiveness of the city as a destination.”

She said the loss of a major attraction could reduce the range of experiences available to visitors and residents.

“Orana Wildlife Park is a unique part of Christchurch’s visitor offering and is widely recognised as a valued local attraction.”

However, ChristchurchNZ stopped short of endorsing public funding for the park, saying that was a matter for the relevant agencies and governing bodies.

Low said ChristchurchNZ could potentially assist through destination marketing, tourism insights, strategic planning and industry connections.

“We are open to discussions where our expertise can add value,” she said.

Orana attracts about 200,000 visitors annually and is home to more than 1000 animals from more than 90 species, including Sumatran tigers, white rhinoceros, cheetah and New Zealand’s only gorillas and addax.

It is the country’s only major zoo not owned and operated by local government.

The park wants to raise about $1 million by the end of October to extend its financial runway while it pursues government, council, corporate, philanthropic and community support.

Hughey earlier acknowledged closure could eventually become an option if the money could not be secured, although he did not regard it as a genuine possibility at this stage.

Chief executive Rachel Haydon said the park could not simply reduce animal care while waiting for its financial position to improve.

“You cannot mothball a giraffe or pause the care of a gorilla while waiting for revenue and visitation to improve,” she said.

The park has launched a Givealittle appeal as part of its recovery plan and is also seeking regular donations through its website.