New kiwi house interim general manager Richard Spittle, trust chair Kim Ingham at his side, delivered the organisation’s quarterly report to the Ōtorohanga District Council’s May meeting.
Spittle, who spent 25 years in the banking industry, told the council his 20 hours per week was mostly focussed on ensuring the numbers were accurate in the Kiwi House budget, ensuring staff were clear on their expectations and ensuring the Kiwi House provides a really good visitor experience.
“It’s really a break even result, with one exception, and that is the specified donations are under budget,” Spittle said.
That budget was identified at $65,000.
“The bigger picture which I am assisting Kim and the trust board with is coming up with a more broader funding grants strategy and how we can continue to develop the facility to build on the experience and try and give it that world class feel that I am sure it is capable of over time.”
Visitor numbers are down around 1000 for the time of year.
“We set ourselves a target of 55,000, I’m not 100 per sure we will hit that, but I am pretty sure we are going to match last year’s visitor numbers at around 50,000,” Spittle said.
He said some cash flow support was needed for the coming months
“We have approached BNZ, they have been open to an application, and they have confirmed they will provide us with seasonal funding facilities for the next 12 months, which is great, so that gives us some comfort.”
Ingham said the Animal Nutrition and Enrichment Centre due to open in July would become the heart of the park.
“Visitors to the park will get to see exactly what’s going on, the keepers will be mic’d up so that they can talk to visitors outside,” she said.
Councillor Roy Johnson wanted to know how the council could further assist the attraction.
“We’re thinking of running a local’s campaign for the next three months, because generally that’s our quiet time, most of this community probably hasn’t been there for the last 20 years,” Ingham said.
Rangiātea Māori Ward councillor Roy Willison asked if kiwi could retire to local farms.
Spittle said it was being discussed.
“Out on the coast and out west there’s conversations with farmers around creating safe farms and there’s farming families going through kiwi accreditation and learning all about that to ultimately create big corridors of space where kiwi can be released.”
