Auckland Zoo - Auckland Zoo

Partnerships

Auckland Zoo works in partnership with a diverse range of organisations throughout New Zealand and internationally, and is a member of both the Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

Click here for more information about sponsorship opportunities at Auckland Zoo.

Auckland Zoo would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters:

Tangata Whenua Partnership

Auckland Zoo's partnership with Tangata Whenua, in particular local iwi, has grown in recent years. It is an exciting development, and one that is seen as vital to the direction of the Zoo.

The department, Pae Herenga Tangata (PHT), at Auckland City Council, has played an increasing role in helping us further these relationships.

The Zoo is now well into working through development plans for our new New Zealand-focused development, Te Wao Nui. This $16.2m project is the largest and most important development the Zoo has ever undertaken. Due to open to the public in 2011, it will offer visitors an unforgettable journey of exploration of Aotearoa's flora, fauna and culture - with Maori culture being an important component.

The planning of Te Wao Nui has involved Ngati Whatua representatives as consultants, and the Zoo is delighted with the role they are playing, and to be working in partnership with this iwi to incorporate cultural perspectives of the fauna and flora of New Zealand.

Ngati Whatua representatives say that the new project will be a key opportunity to teach the Maori community many of the cultural perspectives and beliefs that could be lost.

An absolute must for the Zoo's relationship with iwi is that is based on a firm partnership that provides mutual benefits, and that all aspects of Maori culture integrated into the Zoo have strong iwi input to ensure their authenticity.
The Zoo's strategy encompasses Maori participation in:

building strong relationships and understanding with key iwi contacts
combining the cultural, fauna and flora aspects of the planned Te Wao Nui
the development of the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM)
exploring potential cultural tourism avenues in the Zoo.

The establishment of the Zoo's vet centre, the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM) offers an opportunity for an increased focus on New Zealand fauna, and the ecology and disease issues facing many threatened species. The NZCCM offers teaching opportunities for national and international students, and Tangata Whenua play a key role in this partnership.

Zoological Society of Auckland

The Zoological Society of Auckland, the longest-running society in Auckland, was established in 1929. It was set up to encourage the study of zoology in New Zealand, and in the Auckland region, in particular.

Today the Society focuses its support on the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund (AZCF) and on working closely with the Fund's committee.

Along with providing support to Fund-initiated events, the Society is also pro-active, creating a number of its own events.