Auckland Zoo is delighted to be named a finalist in both the environmental and conservation categories of this year’s New Zealand Tourism Awards, to be announced on 24 October.

Along with other Award finalists, these achievements also put the Zoo in the running for the NZME People’s Choice Award, which you can vote on until this Friday 20 September!

These Awards’ values and actions go to the very heart of all that we stand for as a not-for-profit wildlife conservation science organisation working to bring people together to build future for wildlife

Kevin Buley, Auckland Zoo director

The Enviro-Mark Solutions Environmental Award recognises environmental and financial sustainability, the embracing of kaitiakitanga and the championing of environmental initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to improving Aotearoa’s environment.

The Department of Conservation Conservation Award (also incorporating environmental sustainability) recognises the active protection, restoration and enhancement of our natural environment and biodiversity, and engaging staff, visitors and the community in caring for the environment.

“We’re really proud and excited to have made the finals,” says Auckland Zoo director, Kevin Buley.

“These Awards’ values and actions go to the very heart of all that we stand for as a not-for-profit wildlife conservation science organisation working to bring people together to build future for wildlife,” says Auckland Zoo director, Kevin Buley.

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“We’re passionate about our role as kaitiaki of the Zoo and environment, about our mahi for wildlife and the wild places, and about giving both local and overseas visitors amazing opportunities to get back to nature together, connect with and be inspired to care for wildlife.  

“As Tāmaki Makaurau’s zoo (and part of Regional Facilities Auckland), we offer a vital green outpost for people that’s becoming more important than ever as our city’s population continues to grow. Thanks to the great support of Auckland Council and our community, we’re also able to grow our wild work and grassroots neighbourhood environmentalism through the likes of on-site and community outreach education programmes.  

“Conservation is about people, and it’s only through this support and our standing together that we can all continue to make a positive to difference for wildlife, our environment, and each other,” says Kevin.

Did you know?

  1.  Annually, Auckland Zoo welcomes more than 700,000 local and overseas visitors
  2. Auckland Zoo is a CarboNZero accredited organisation, constantly working to reduce its carbon footprint and improve its sustainability practices
  3. Wild Work: 56 staff, interns and volunteers from 11 different teams across the Zoo spent a total of 8,321 hours assisting 29 conservation projects helping 20 different wildlife species (fauna and flora) throughout Aotearoa and the South Pacific.
  4. From June-April 2019, the height of the aspergillosis (fungal disease) outbreak impacting the Critically Endangered kākāpō in the wild – at our vet hospital, the equivalent of 15 staff worked full-time to care for and treat kakapo, clocking up more than 5000 hours, and its efforts for kākāpō continue.
  5. In the past year, Zoo staff spent more than 6000 hours caring for and breeding endemic species for conservation and restoration (kiwi, whio, pateke, kākāriki karaka, Otago skink, grand skink, Chesterfield skink, cobble skink and wētāpunga.
  6. 366 animals (kiwi, who, pateke, kākāriki karaka and wētāpunga) were bred and released to the wild
  7. Over the past 5 years, Auckland Zoo has contributed more than $4 million in time and financial resources to Department of Conservation projects
  8. Auckland Zoo’s Conservation Fund has to date distributed $4 million to support dozens of conservation projects to help wildlife in the wild here in Aotearoa and overseas