Michelle Obama, first lady of China will see pandas at zoo

The Wellington City Council has been debating the idea, though there has been some concern the cost to bring the animals here would outweigh the benefits.

But it’s become increasingly common for China to lease a pair of pandas to a country for a 10-year period.

“Does he know that when Adelaide Zoo got pandas, the increase in visitor numbers was temporary, and costs were so high the zoo had to be bailed out by the Government?” he asked.

The plan has been criticised by councillor Paul Eagle who says the idea is a fantasy.

“If you look at it internationally, cities that have got them have done very well out of them”.

Adding a visit to see giant pandas to Wellington’s existing attractions such as Te Papa would make sense, particularly for younger visitors, he said. “Just like the flag referendum this is just pandering to the Prime Minister’s personal peccadillos”, Andrew Little says.

“When you’re in the state the Government is in, there is always merit in having cuddly animals at the forefront of your political agenda”, he said.

“Spending taxpayer dollars to bring two pandas to Wellington Zoo is a waste of money, especially at a time when we are facing serious economic headwinds, cutting scientists from AgResearch and our state houses are in serious disrepair”.

Eagle said he did not want to exaggerate the costs for bring pandas to the city.

National Zoo director Dennis Kelly: “Pandas build a bridge between the American people and the Chinese people, and it allows us to understand each others’ cultures better”.

Deputy Mayor Justin Lester, who also chairs the governance, finance and planning committee, said the Government had driven the panda plan, writing to the council in 2011 to seek its interest.

“While pandas are an iconic species and attractive to visitors and Wellingtonians, it would depend on dollar amount the Prime Minister’s enthusiasm translates into”.

There were some financial challenges and they would need to be worked through but it was worthwhile having a look, he said.

“The Meet the Locals program is opening in late October and the zoo is looking to introduce endangered snow leopards in 2016”, she said.