Hamilton Zoo

We will have a number of measures in place, including physical distancing between strangers, and contact tracing to enter the zoo, so we can comply with government requirements for public venues.

There will be marked areas in the carpark for people to queue, so that we can ensure physical distancing if you need to wait to enter the Zoo. Hand sanitising stations are available at multiple spots throughout the zoo. The public toilets will undergo extra scheduled cleaning each day.

Do I have to wear a face covering at the Zoo?

At Step 2 of Alert Level 3, it is mandatory for staff and visitors to wear a face covering in public facilities and when you cannot maintain a two-metre distance from others.

Visitors must wear a face covering if they wish to enter our facilities – such as the reception – and physically distance from other people. This is a government requirement to keep you, your whaanau, and the community safe.

Can I pay by cash?
There are risks around staff handling cash, so we are keeping payment contactless until further notice. Only cards, online payment codes, annual passes, voucher numbers or other forms of contactless payment will be accepted at the Zoo entrance.

What about daily keeper talks and animal encounters?
Keeper talks are currently suspended as it is difficult to keep staff, visitors and animals safely distanced during these experiences . Animal encounters are under review and remain unavailable.

Can I book a mobility scooter, push chair or wheelchair?

 Yes, these are available and will be cleaned after each use.

I'm an annual pass holder, will I be compensated for the time the Zoo was closed?
Yes – guests whose annual passes expired on or after 18 August 2021, will have the length of the lockdown added to their expiry date. The same applies for those who have purchased single day admission tickets / annual passes via our website, or have a zoo voucher, we will be extending the expiry dates on these also.

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Hamilton Zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals, the only fishing cats and the largest free-flight aviary in New Zealand dedicated to native birds and plants.  See exotic species like giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, red pandas, lemurs and Sumatran tigers as well as farm animals like kune kune pigs.

Get to know our animals during free daily Meet the Keeper talks. For a special experience, go behind the scenes on a Face2Face encounter and meet our southern white rhinos, giraffe, macaws and agouti  Every visit is different, with breeding and baby animals at any time of the year.

Hamilton Zoo is committed to inspiring conservation action through participation in various projects and contributing to breeding programmes for endangered species like southern white rhino, once there were only 100 left in the world, now there are more than 20,000.

Animal encounters on hold

With the impact of Covid 19 felt worldwide we are taking, like many businesses, the opportunity to re-assess some of our practices and processes, including those for our animal encounters. We appreciate our visitors' patience, as we know how much they love connecting with our animals in this way. Encounters will be reintroduced very soon - definite timing and the schedule of encounters on offer will be announced on our website and social media pages.