Our New Zealand Government moves Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to Covid-19 Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 21 September, which means Auckland Zoo must still remain closed to visitors. (We cannot reopen until Alert Level 3, Stage 2).

As part of Auckland Unlimited (AU), Auckland Zoo is continuing to work closely with AU and Auckland Council to follow all Ministry of Health Guidelines and respond to and implement all measures issued by central Government to contain the spread of Covid-19 in New Zealand.

Visiting Auckland Zoo at Alert Level 3, Stage 2 will be under specific Government regulations and Zoo protocols to keep our staff, animals and visitors safe and ensure that everyone can enjoy a great experience.

At Alert Level 3, Stage 2, everyone, including members, will need to pre-book a session (visit) time online and non-members must also purchase their tickets in advance. Visitor numbers in each session are limited to ensure that our health & safety obligations are met during Alert Level 3, Stage 2.

We will share the opening date and any specific terms and conditions of entry, plus all of the information on how to book your visit nearer the time, so that you and your whānau have plenty of notice to ‘Get Zoo Ready’! This information will be shared on our website and via our social channels, so please keep an eye out.  

Although we are closed to visitors, our passionate and dedicated staff of essential workers are still able to be here on site at the Zoo to provide all the Zoo’s animals with the same high levels of care that they always enjoy and maintain all essential operational running of the Zoo.

We have many Zoo measures and all the Government and Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 protocols in place to keep our Zoo staff safe and minimise their risk to each other. This includes minimising staff to staff contact with physical distancing, stepping up hygiene measures within all working environments across the Zoo, and having Zoo staff that are not directly involved in caring for our animals or involved in the essential operational running of our Zoo, working from home.

We greatly value our incredible whānau of volunteers who play such an important role engaging with you, our visitors, and helping Zoo staff. But due to this lockdown, we have temporarily suspended our Volunteer Programme.

Your support means the world to us – and the animals that we care for here at the Zoo and in the wild. As you can’t visit us at present, we will simply extend your membership for the period that we are closed due to Covid-19, so that you won’t miss out, and will still receive your full 12-months’ membership.

You don’t need to contact us to receive this additional period of membership as we’ll change your end-date automatically. If your membership is due for renewal while we are closed, then we sincerely hope you consider continuing to support the Zoo, even if you can’t visit for the time being.

If you do have any other specific questions, please email annual.passes@aucklandzoo.co.nz and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

All tickets purchased prior to this lockdown will remain valid for their standard six-month period. This won’t start until after we come out of lockdown and Auckland Zoo can reopen – so you won’t miss out!  

As part of Auckland Unlimited (AU) – a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) – Auckland Zoo is able to continue providing the same high level of expert care and quality of life for the animals at the Zoo and maintain essential onsite operations, whilst we are closed due to Covid-19. In order to do this, AU and the Zoo are committed to minimising expenses while we are unable to generate revenue on site.

Staff whose roles don’t extend to caring for the animals and our facilities are continuing to bring the Zoo to you here on-line – so together we can stay connected, support each other, and keep sharing our love for wildlife and wild places from the safety of our homes.

Be sure to check our website and social media channels, news stories, and updates!