Orana Wildlife Park faces the most serious financial challenge in its history as its cash reserves run close to empty, prompting leaders to launch a public plea to raise $4.1 million ahead of the next financial year, according to 1News. As the Christchurch zoo approaches its 50th year of operation, it is asking visitors to return and has launched a Givealittle campaign to bridge the funding gap.
Financial Crisis and Public Funding Plea at Orana Wildlife Park
Board co-chair Ken Hughey stated that cash reserves are close to empty, though he emphasized that leaders do not want to cause unnecessary alarm. According to 1News, the zoo requires $4.1 million to secure its next financial year. Chief executive Rachel Haydon explained that zoos carry high fixed costs that run year-round. According to Haydon, a giraffe cannot simply be stored away and a gorilla’s care cannot be halted while waiting for visitor numbers and ticket sales to recover, emphasizing that animals demand specialist staff oversight, life support systems, climate control, secure enclosures, veterinary treatment, and daily nourishment.
To help address the shortfall, the park received a report from accountancy firm BDO tracking its financial sustainability. According to the park, BDO found that Orana’s long-term forecasts are credible and its costs are broadly comparable with other zoo operations, while further cost reductions would not resolve the underlying problem. BDO also found that council funding, grants, and donations represented 57% of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo’s revenue in 2025, compared to just 23% for Orana. Orana reported having initial and constructive discussions with the Christchurch City Council on dealing with the shortfall, though the council has not yet stated whether it will provide financial support.
Renewal, Reviews, and Historic Underinvestment
The financial strain coincides with a dramatic transformation over the past two years, following a 2024 1News investigation where 20 staff raised concerns about operations, animal welfare, and workplace culture. That reporting revealed previously unreported animal deaths and injuries, alongside worker complaints of being overworked and unsafe. Four separate groups subsequently reviewed the park, including the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Zoo and Aquarium Association. Hughey noted that the reviews required Orana to confront difficult issues, and the board accepted the findings, apologized for the park’s position, and committed to necessary changes. While whistleblowers raised animal welfare concerns, Orana maintains that the reviews did not find any current animal welfare issues.
The evaluations highlighted a requirement for substantial progress pertaining to workplace culture, governance, asset management, health and safety, animal-welfare processes, veterinary capability, and staffing. Hughey stated that the reviews confirmed historical underinvestment, with budgets that had not always reflected the true cost of meeting modern standards. Since the reviews, Orana appointed a new chief executive, hired seven additional exotic animal keepers for animals like lions and gorillas, and appointed two veterinary nurses—a first for the park, which previously relied on an external vet on certain days of the week. The park also spent significant reserves to rebuild itself.
Future Outlook and Recovery Plans
Orana Wildlife Park remains open, and no decision has been made about its future as it approaches its 50th anniversary. Hughey said the board has developed a sustainability and recovery plan, noting that they have a recovery plan, a stronger organization, and a good understanding of what needs to be done. The park is working on a long-term masterplan to keep operating for another 50 years. Future survival could depend on whether the organization secures the necessary support from local and central government, philanthropy, businesses, major donors, and the community to give its recovery plan time to succeed.