A second senior manager has left Orana Wildlife Park amid major changes to leadership at the embattled Christchurch zoo.
The park confirmed today that Rachael Mason, the manager of exotic species, has resigned.
This follows the resignation of the park’s former long-time chief executive Lynn Anderson late last year after 28 years in the top job.
Both changes come after a 1News investigation into the park in 2024, where 20 current and former Orana staff raised concerns about the way staff – and animals – were treated.
The whistleblowers leaked photos and videos that exposed several previously unreported incidents at the park, including a baby giraffe that was found dead shortly after its birth in 2021.
Some also claimed managers had ignored animal welfare concerns when they raised them.
Mason led the exotics team, which was a focus point of some of the concerns – including keepers describing breaking down in tears on the job and claiming they were chronically understaffed.
Orana board co-chairperson Ken Hughey would not comment on Mason’s departure in an interview today.
Head of the exotic animals team resigns in a move described by park management as “amicable”. (Source: 1News)
When asked whether Mason had managed the team effectively, Hughey refused to elaborate.
“I wouldn’t comment on that, that’s part of our agreement in terms of her departure,” he said.
He added the separation was “amicable”, saying Mason had helped the park through some big innovations and both sides wished each other well.
“We mutually respect each other, and we hope for her future just as she’s hoping for us to have a good future.”
Mason would not comment in detail when contacted by 1News. However, speaking over the phone, she claimed there were inaccuracies in the initial investigation but did not specify further as to what she meant by this. She said she was going to hang up, then did so.
Later, when asked for specifics in a text message, she again declined to comment.
The zoo has already appointed her replacement, naming Craig Gilchrist as the exotic mammals manager today.
Gilchrist has spent 34 years in the zoo industry, working at facilities in the UK and at Auckland Zoo.
Asked what he wanted to bring to the role, he said he had an “open conversation policy”.
“Everyone can feel they can come to me with anything they want, and vice versa, I’ll go to them with things. It’s just about having that respect and honesty for each other,” he said.
“They’re a fantastic team, they really are, and I’m really excited to see how we go in the future.”
The new Orana: transformational change underway
The latest change leaves the management of the zoo dramatically transformed since the initial investigation was published in July.
Two new board co-chairs – Hughey and Erin Jamieson – have been appointed and have been instrumental in setting a new course for the organisation over the last few months.
In May, Rachel Haydon, formerly a director of the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier, will begin as the park’s new chief executive.
Hughey said Haydon had been hired as part of a journey of transformation at the park, describing her as the “perfect person” to lead that.
The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) has also requested extensive changes at the zoo after running its own investigation – sparked by the 1News series.
As part of that work, Orana put a temporary pause on importation of any new animals late last year so it can focus on caring for those currently in its collection.
The zoo has also committed to adding extra “veterinary capability” on site. It had previously relied on an external contracted vet.
In addition, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued 15 recommendations of its own for change, which Orana accepted.
MPI suggested the park, among other things, increase staff numbers in the exotics team.
Efforts are also underway to improve the zoo’s culture, with external firm Culture by Design working alongside staff.
The park has previously committed to running an independent governance review.
It is working to change the way it assesses animal welfare, including developing a formal process for reporting and addressing animal welfare complaints.
Orana says it has plans to advertise five new positions in the coming weeks and will hire new members for the exotic animals team.
Hughey has described the changes being made as “transformational” and encouraged former keepers, who had left the park throughout its history, to consider reapplying.
“We’re a future focused organisation, we’ve learnt from the past, we’re moving ahead into the future and we’re really transparent, we’re open,” he said.
“We’re working with people and we value all of our staff, irrespective of where they are in the organisation.”
