Pūkaha board co-chair Mavis Mullins says without an immediate and significant cash injection the sanctuary will be forced to shut its doors. Photo: Supplied/ Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
A former board chair of a wildlife sanctuary in financial strife says he is working overtime to get a handle on the situation.
The not-for-profit Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, which borders the Tararua and Wairarapa districts, is a breeding sanctuary for native birds including kiwi. It has, in recent days, put out an urgent plea for financial help.
In a statement Pūkaha board co-chair Mavis Mullins said without an immediate and significant cash injection the board would be forced to shut its doors.
The Post has reported that the centre needed to find $600,000.
Former board chair Bob Francis and local businessman Shane McManaway had recently been brought in to oversee a complete overhaul of the organisation, she said.
Francis said he and McManaway were in the process of figuring out the centre's finances.
"We're working over time to sort it out."
Former Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre board chair Bob Francis. Photo: Supplied / Bob Francis
Mullins said for several months the sanctuary had been working with potential investors, and had brought in independent financial advice.
"We've also been in discussion with the Department of Conservation about the payment of outstanding invoices for Shore Plover Aviaries, a nearly completed construction project urgently needed to continue the national programme of protection of this endangered species."
The centre was now asking for the community to step in, she said.
"Pūkaha has been one of the New Zealand trail blazers in saving native wildlife like our national icon the kiwi, and takahē, kōkako, tūturuatu and kākā.
"But the current operating model, which includes only part funding of conservation work by the Department of Conservation, with the rest from community funding, is no longer sustainable."
She said the centre had not given up hope - "but the doors will shut soon unless immediate additional funding is forthcoming".
The board and management were communicating to lenders, creditors and staff about the potential closure, Mullins said.
"This is a very difficult time for all our staff, stakeholders and communities as we work through the next steps and urgently raise capital so we can avoid the painful decision to close," she said.
'An iconic institution'
Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell said Pūkaha was a huge drawcard for tourists and its potential closure did not bear thinking about.
"It's devastating to think to be quite honest.
"Unbelievable is a word that would come through. We all know down here, Pūkaha is ... an iconic institution," he said.
Masterton District Council was aware the sanctuary was experiencing some financial difficulties, but had no idea it was so serious, Caffell said.
The council gave an annual grant to Pūkaha, and while no more funding had been committed, he said it had not been ruled out either.
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