Zealandia seeks more Council funding to remain open

Wellington attraction Zealandia is seeking a further NZ$3 million in Council funding to remain open.

The wildlife and environment sanctuary had asked Wellington City Council to provide NZ$950,000 a year in each of the next three years. This is in addition to funding of about NZ$10.7 million based on projected visitor figures that have never been met.

A recent Council document outlining the funding request states "the trust has signalled they will face solvency issues as their cash reserves are run down to fund operating deficits. The cash reserves are forecast to be sufficient to fund operations for the current year but will be depleted shortly thereafter. "

The Council's Strategy and Policy Committee has agreed to establish a working party to consider funding options and how the sanctuary is governed.

A variety of scenarios were voiced by councillors - from closing down the NZ$15 million interactive visitor centre to bringing the entire operation under full council control.

However, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown explained "it was never the intention for it (Zealandia) to be under the umbrella of the zoo but they could work much more closely''.

Councillors Bryan Pepperell and Helene Ritchie both said investigations by the working party had to include the possibility of bringing Zealandia under Council control.

Councillor John Morrison said financial answers had to be found because "until there is financial certainty (at Zealandia) then it is vulnerable''.

The working party, made up of councillors Justin Lester, Helene Ritchie and Simon Marsh, will report back with options on 23rd February 2012.

Sanctuary trustee Sir Paul Callaghan had earlier told councillors of the sanctuary's massive success in spreading birdlife across the city while Councillors were in agreement that whatever happened at the sanctuary, its conservation work was vital and must continue.

The funding of attractions by New Zealand councils was explored in a feature in the November/December 2011 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

16th November 2011 - WELLINGTON TO INTRODUCE ‘FUN TAX’?

7th April 2010 - ZEALANDIA EXHIBITION OPENS IN WELLINGTON