Wellington City Council has abandoned a proposal to merge the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary with the zoo and Botanic Gardens.
Instead, the council will appoint an interim board to manage the sanctuary in the suburb of Karori, while a six-month review is carried out into how it operates.
If the council is satisfied with the review, it will give Zealandia $1.75 million over the next three years.
The council has already given Zealandia a $10 million interest-free loan.