Auckland Zoo Educator and Volunteer Coordinator
Here at Auckland Zoo, conservation forms the foundations of our work – whether in the perimeter of our grounds or out on the field. To help spread the word of our amazing and impactful efforts, and share stories of the species in our care, we rely on people like Hōhepa – one of our zoo educators and volunteer coordinators.
Starting his Auckland Zoo journey as a volunteer in 2011, Hōhepa was quick to focus his energy on all things conservation. His love for protecting and preserving our ecosystems was undeniable, and soon, Hōhepa landed the role of educator in Tikapa Moana (Hauraki Gulf), teaching school groups about conservation on predator-free islands.
Possessing a natural ability to present information in an engaging and educational way is a hard trait to come by. So, when Auckland Zoo began its search for a new presenter of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Word of the Week) video series, we not only had to find someone who boasted a great deal of charisma and confidence but someone who also felt comfortable sharing their knowledge of te reo Māori to our audience.
When Hōhepa isn’t sharing te reo on screen, you can find him educating school groups or organising our amazing volunteer team – just some of the mahi this ka pukumahi (hard worker) gets up to everyday! Keep an eye out for Hōhepa the next time you visit Auckland Zoo, and don’t forget to say kia ora!
Watch Hōhepa in action!
