'Christchurch institution': Orana Wildlife Park receives $1.2 million ratepayer lifeline

Christchurch's struggling Orana Wildlife Park has been given a ratepayer-funded lifeline of $1.2 million.

The council's Finance and Performance Committee approved the top-up towards the zoo's $4 million budget shortfall - but the funding comes with conditions.

Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown says the council hasn't funded the park properly, and it's about time someone stepped up to look after it.

"These places can be run properly, on about 50 cents a week per household. It's as simple as that, and that would raise around $5 million a year for the regional facilities." 

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