Zealandia to review admission prices after fall in visitors

Wellington wildlife sanctuary Zealandia is to review its admission prices after visitor numbers failed to reach management projections.

The move follows the near doubling of admission charges in 2010, from between $18.50 and $28.50 for an adult entry.

As a result, visitor numbers in 2010/2011 failed to reach their projected 140,000 with only 89,643 visiting the Karori sanctuary.

Over recent years, Wellington City Council has provided Zealandia with funding totalling nearly NZ$18 million, including NZ$7.6 million in grants.

As a result it is considering the formation of a council controlled organisation, 'Nature Wellington', to run the sanctuary, along with Wellington Zoo, Otari-Wilton's Bush and the Botanic Gardens.

However, Zealandia managers the Karori Sanctuary Trust wants the council to consider an alternative plan that would allow the Trust to continue its management role with Council input and financial support.

Making representations to the consultation process on the Council's 10-year plan this week, Trust Chairwoman Catherine Isaac said the trust would review its pricing structure as part of its alternative proposal.

Wellington newspaper the Dominion Post reported that that after the meeting, Zealandia board member Russ Ballard confirmed that the Trust had commissioned an external independent review.

Ballared said ticket prices would drop only if it could be shown a fall would increase visitor numbers and total revenue while Issac reportedly proposed cost-cutting measures including reducing the trust from seven to five members, including two from the Council; reviewing its management and operations; continuing to report to the council; looking at sharing backroom facilities with other organisations and seeking private funding.

The Trust is apparently looking to work with organisations such as the zoo, Otari-Wilton's Bush, the Botanic Gardens, Conservation Department, Te Papa, and others, to build Wellington's standing as an 'eco-city'.

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