Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger believes ongoing council funding for Orana Wildlife Park should be considered, while councillor Sam MacDonald has warned any contribution must not create an expectation of continued ratepayer support.

The Finance and Performance Committee will consider setting aside up to $1.2 million for the park on Wednesday 23 September.

Officers recommend using the forecast operating surplus, with funding conditional on reviewing Orana’s finances and recovery progress in early 2027. Any approved funding would be paid in two instalments during the final half of 2026/27, provided the park remained open and continued implementing its recovery plan.

Mauger told chrislynchmedia.com the council needed to examine its future role through the Long Term Plan, pointing to the support other councils provided to their zoos.

“We, to be fair, we haven’t been doing that much compared to the others, so it’s something that we need to look at.”

He said Orana was among a small number of attractions, including Ferrymead Heritage Park, which he believed should be considered for a regular council budget allocation.

Asked whether that meant the council taking greater financial responsibility for Orana, Mauger said it would require discussion and a decision through the Long Term Plan.

He said many people had fond memories of visiting the park, which he described as having been in slow decline for several years.

Mauger said its new board had commissioned reports and understood what was needed to restore its financial stability. He described the proposed support as giving Orana “a bit of a leg up” while the council considered its longer term position.

MacDonald said there needed to be limits on the council’s financial role.

“Council cannot be the funder of last resort for every organisation facing financial pressure.

“My view has always been that Council’s focus should be on delivering the services people rely on every day and making sensible investments that help Christchurch grow, through either the rating base or attracting more activity to our City.”

MacDonald said he did not want to get ahead of next week’s decision, but any contribution should not create an expectation of ongoing council funding.

“Those who know my views will know I’m cautious about asking residents to pay more through their rates. Every dollar we rate as a Council comes from Christchurch households and businesses that can’t spend it elsewhere.

“But $4 million annually from the ratepayers is simply not going to be possible.”

He described Orana as an important Christchurch asset and expressed confidence in its board and management.

“I encourage them to continue working with Council staff on options that are affordable, sustainable, and fair to ratepayers.”

According to the council report, BDO forecast an operating shortfall of approximately $4.1 million in 2026/27, rising to between $4.6 million and $5.6 million annually over the following five years. Cash reserves could be exhausted by March or April 2027.

BDO found commercial growth and further cost reductions alone were unlikely to achieve financial sustainability.

The report listed no direct rates impact from the proposed grant, but acknowledged it would reduce surplus funds available for other priorities, including debt reduction.

On consultation, staff cited submissions to the 2024 to 2034 Long Term Plan: 996 supported the park, four were ambiguous and two opposed council funding. Any longer term support would undergo extensive public consultation through the 2027 to 2037 plan.

Mauger also suggested international visitor levy revenue could become a source of support for Orana.

He put Christchurch’s potential share at roughly $9 million a year and said some could help attractions bring more tourists to the city, alongside spending on events at the stadium and other initiatives.

However, the proposed distribution of visitor levy revenue to councils is a National Party election promise, conditional on its return to government. National’s announcement said payments would begin on 1 July 2027 and be based on each council’s share of international visitor guest nights.

Mauger said attracting a greater share of international visitors could increase Christchurch’s allocation. He stressed he was putting forward possibilities and was not predetermining how the council would spend the money.

Orana Wildlife Park chief executive Rachel Haydon said, “Orana Wildlife Park does have financial challenges and any contributions towards assisting our funding gap would be enormously appreciated.”

The Givealittle page for Orana currently sits at just over $34,000.