Essential maintenance and upgrades

We do everything we can to make sure you have an amazing experience every time you visit Auckland Zoo.

To ensure we’re meeting the requirements of a good modern zoo today and into the future, it’s necessary that we carry out essential ongoing maintenance and upgrades to our animal habitats and visitor spaces.

On this page, you’ll find information on what areas of our Zoo are currently being worked on. We aim to have the most up to date information available, however please be aware that weather and other circumstances can impact these dates.

PSA: Swamp forest maintenance

On Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 July, the Swamp forest tropical dome will be closed while it receives some maintenance works to ensure it is in tip top shape. 

While the works are taking place, you’ll be able to visit the rest of our immersive South East Asia track as you usually would.

PSA: Squirrel monkey habitat maintenance

Between Monday 17 – Tuesday 18 August 2026, the Squirrel monkeys are not able to be visited, while their habitat receives some essential maintenance works to ensure it is in tip top shape. 

While the works are taking place, you’ll be able to visit the rest of our immersive South America Rainforest track as you usually would.

PSA: Rhino habitat maintenance

Starting on Tuesday 18 August, the rhino and nyala are not able to be visited, while their habitat receives some essential maintenance works to ensure it is in tip top shape. This work is scheduled to happen during weekdays only, from Tuesday 18 – Thursday 20 August 2026 and Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 September 2026.

While the works are taking place, you’ll be able to visit the rest of our immersive Africa Safari Track as you usually would.

PSA: Coast habitat closure

The specialist marine habitat, that is a quarter-century old has been found to be unrepairable, so the entire Takutai/The Coast habitat is now permanently closed. 

The Zoo’s kororā/little penguin have been able to be relocated to established aviaries at the top of the Zoo (a non-visitor area) where our specialist bird keepers can continue to care for and fully provide for them.

In the future, this area will be redeveloped and once again be home to kōrorā, however this will take time to plan and build, and is therefore a few years away.