Christmas Lunch Terms and Conditions 2025
To ensure that your experience with us is top notch, our Christmas lunch menus are curated using carefully chosen ingredients and a whole lot of prep magic — which is why our Christmas lunch event comes with strict terms and conditions to ensure everything runs seamlessly on the day.
We are pleased to offer a dedicated vegan option which is also made without gluten to accommodate this dietary requirement.
Please note that no additional modifications can be made to the menu and we ask that you pre-book in advance.
By booking, the Guest/Customer acknowledges that they have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and understand that it is the Guest/Customer’s responsibility to disclose any dietary requirements in advance and that undisclosed dietary requirements cannot be accommodated on the day of the event.
Pre-booking is essential; walk-ups are not available on the day.
Christmas Lunch dates and sessions:
- Thursday 11 December. Session time: 12pm
- Sunday 14 December. Session time: 12pm
- Sunday 21st December. Session time: 12pm
Each session is 120 mins long. One session is available each day starting at 12pm and ending at 2pm.
Guests must be seated no later than 30mins after the start time of each session. Admission will not be granted if guests arrive after 30mins.
If the dates above don’t suit, and you have a minimum of 25 people/maximum of 50, we’re able to accommodate additional bookings.
Bookings close:
- Sunday 30 November at 11pm for the event on 11 December or until sold out.
- Sunday 7 December at 11pm for the event on 14 December or until sold out.
- Sunday 14 December at 11pm for the event on 21 December or until sold out.
No changes in the number of guests to be catered for will be accepted after 5pm on the dates listed above.
Any decrease in the number of guests after a booking has been made may result in the original confirmed guest number being charged.
If you are a member, providing your Membership Number is compulsory. Members receive 15% discount off the full price.
All guests who book are advised to enter their phone number so that the caterer can confirm the booking and advise of any updates or changes if needs be.
Cancellation:
- Cancellation of the booking by the guest results in a cancellation fee as follows:
- Cancellation within 7 days of the booking will incur a 100% cancellation fee;
- Cancellation more than 7 days of the booking will incur a 50% cancellation fee;
- No concessions will be made for cancellations due to illness or injury, and all conditions above will apply.
The Customer acknowledges that:
- Minimum orders may apply.
- Menu content is always subject to change due to market or seasonal availability; and where, due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. supplier shortage), The Zoo’s caterer (Montana Food & Events) is unable to provide the agreed menu or catering services, Auckland Zoo reserves the right to adapt the menu and catering services via email with the customer.
- In the rare case that the Zoo is forced to cancel a session, notice of cancellation will be provided within a day’s notice of a session. This is at the sole discretion of Zoo Management and all customers who have booked will receive a 100% refund.
- All event tickets are seated in the Old Elephant House courtyard.
- The Old Elephant House restaurant will be reserved on the day for walk-ups, but only with “Grab ‘n’ Go” food, not the ‘a la Carte menu’.
If an infant (age 0 – 3 years) is attending, please ensure the infant ticket (free of charge) is booked on your order.
If you require a highchair or space for a pram/pushchair, please advise in the "Special Requirements: section of the booking form.
If you feel your infant (age 0 – 3 years) can eat the Children's Christmas Lunch, you may order the meal separately. You can pay for an additional Children's Christmas Lunch for $27.00 (or $23.00 if they are a member) and add this to the infant ticket ($0 general admission).
Please put a note in the Special Requirements box at the checkout and our bookings coordinator will send you an email and payment request link for the extra Children's Christmas Lunch order for your child. Please note that an infant ticket must be booked on your order as a pre-condition.
