Auckland Zoo has a dedicated browse team that source this vegetation in a number of sustainable ways. One of the key ways we obtain browse for the zoo’s animals is through the generous donations from our wonderful green-fingered community in Auckland.

This browse is then used in a number of ways – as part of our animals varied and nutritional diet; to create natural areas where animals can hide, nest, climb or create perches; and thick branches or logs are used as essential gnawing implements for our rodent species.

Please find a photo gallery below featuring the different types of browse that we are likely to accept.

Within this selection, there are specific types of browse that are in high demand as they are much enjoyed by the animals in our care. These are puka, monstera, banana palm, ficus, feijoa, acacia, poplar, liquid amber.

Please note – all browse / plants for donation must be pesticide and spray free. We are unable to pick up any browse donations outside of Auckland City.

Bold indicates large quantities can be collected. * indicates a particular type is wanted.

Acacia (Acacia Sp.)
Akapukaea/Three Kings Vine (Tecomanthe speciosa)
Australian Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum)
Bottlebrush (Melaleuca Sp.) *flowering
Cape Leadwort (Plumbago auriculata) *flowering
Chinese Lantern (Abutilon Sp.) *flowering
Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) *especially when fruiting
Frangipani (Plumeria sp.) *flowering
Fruitsalad Plant (Monstera delisiosa)
Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
Grape Vine (Vitis Sp.) *leafy
Guava (Psidium Sp.)
Hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium)
Hebe/Koromiko (Veronica Sp.)
Hibiscus (Hibiscus Sp.) *especially when flowering
Houpara/Five Finger (Psedopanex Lesonii (and cross)
Inga Bean (Inga edulis)
Kānuka (Kunzea sp.)
Karaka/New Zealand Laurel (Corynocarpus laevigatus)
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)
Kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile)
Korokio/Corokia (Corokia cotoniasta)
Lacebark/Houhere (Hoheria Sp.)
Laurel Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenoides)
Linden (Tilia americana)
Liquid Amber (Liquidamber Sp.)
Māhoe/Whiteywood (Melicytus ramiflorus)
Mānuka/Tea Tree (Leptospermum Sp.)
Maple (Acer Sp.) *leafy
Monkey Apple/Acmena (Syzygium smithii)
Mulberry (Morus Sp.)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) *flowering
Olive (Olea europaea)
Panax Discolor Kirk (Pseudopanax discolor)
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
Patē/7 Finger (Schefflera digitata)
Plane Tree (Platanus Sp.) *leafy
Plumbago (Plumbago Sp.)
Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) *especially when flowering
Ponga/Silver Fern (Cyathea dealbata)
Poplar (Populus Sp.) *leafy
Puarangi (Hibiscus diversifolius) *especially when flowering
Puka (Meryta sinclairii)
Pūriri (Vitex lucens)
She Oak (Casuarina Sp.)
Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum)
Tī Kouka/Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis)
Tītoki (Alectryon excelsus)
Tree Lucerne (Chamaecytisus palmensis)
Whārangi (Melicope ternata)
Whauwhaupaku/5 Finger (Pseudopanax Sp.)
Willow (Salix Sp.) *leafy

https://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/zoo/assets/media/pohutukawa.jpg

Pōhutukawa - Metrosideros excelsa