Auckland Zoo opened in 1922 with animals purchased by the City from a private collection in Onehunga. 100 years later it is home to 135 different species and over 1000 animals, making it the largest and most significant collection of native and exotic wildlife in New Zealand. A winner of national and international environment-related awards, Auckland Zoo is recognised as one of the most progressive zoos in the world and is at the leading-edge of research, training and conservation work.

The zoo operates as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), being owned and partially funded by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. It is one of Auckland’s leading visitor experienes, attracting over 700,000 visitors every year - the equivalent of 50% of Auckland’s metro population. Over 50,0000 school students a year attend learning programmes at the zoo. Both in New Zealand and internationally Auckland Zoo is playing an increasingly significant role in conservation efforts, with a total financial value of conservation activities in the wild of over $4.2 million to date.

Scientific evidence strongly suggests that human-induced climate change will become a primary driver of species extinctions in the coming century. Auckland Zoo believes it has a unique opportunity to help their visitors form a personal connection with the subject of climate change and inspire them to take action. This has been a notoriously challenging task when the most serious consequences of climate change seem remote to members of the public.

Auckland Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoo Aquariums (WAZA), and our position aligns with their statement on climate action.  An emergency resolution was adopted at the 67th Annual Conference of WAZA, held in 2012 requesting all WAZA members to: actively reduce CO2 emissions wherever possible and, where it is not possible, to compensate via best practice habitat support initiatives; call on world leaders to avoid disastrous and unmanageable climate change and ocean acidification impacts; returning atmospheric CO2 concentrations to below 350ppm while it is still possible to do so and; prioritise awareness raising and visitor engagement focus on these threat and response issues.

Certifications

  • Toitū net carbonzero certified organisation

Contact details

Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022, NZ

Phone: +64 9 360 3805