Kaka chicks at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in 2024.
Photo: LDR
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in Wairarapa is to get a council observer as it works to turn its fortunes around.
The decision was made at Masterton District Council’s meeting on Wednesday, when councillor Tim Nelson was chosen to represent the council on the Mount Bruce centre’s board.
Nelson will act in a non-voting capacity, but will have speaking rights. He welcomed the council’s nomination.
“I think it’s an absolutely wonderful facility with a huge amount of potential,” he said after the vote.
Last year, the centre was brought back from the brink of closure after facing significant financial challenges.
Since then, the board has been replaced and a new general manager appointed.
Masterton councillor Tim Nelson will represent the council in a non-voting capacity on Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre’s board.
Photo: LDR
A report tabled at Wednesday’s meeting recommended there be no council observer at the centre, but after discussion it was decided it was appropriate to have one.
“I believe we do still need to have the council oversight,” councillor Stella Lennox said, citing the council’s financial contribution to the centre.
At a public excluded meeting last year, the council agreed to provide a loan of $200,000 to Pūkaha, on the proviso the council had a non-voting board observer with speaking rights. No appointment had been made until now.
Pūkaha’s 2023/2024 annual report showed debt of about $3 million, rising operational costs and falling grant money.
Since its appointment, the new board closed a multi-million-dollar deal with iwi and creditors that kept the doors open.
The council was one of many supporters, including Central Energy Trust, who stepped up to help save the centre financially to keep it going.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.