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: Flamingo habitat modification works 

From Monday 4 May until early July, we’re installing temporary mesh over the flamingo habitat. During this time, the flamingo flock will be cared for in a covered habitat in a non-visitor area. 

A proactive measure   

Netting this habitat is a proactive measure to prevent wild birds from getting in – and help protect the Zoo’s flamingo flamboyance (the only flock in Australasia) should there be an outbreak of the avian disease HPAI (Highly Pathenogenic Avian Influenza) in New Zealand.

What is HPAI?   

HPAI (also known as H5N1) is a highly contagious type of avian influenzavirus that primarily affects birds (in extremely variable ways) and causes high mortality in domestic poultry that has now spread across all areas of the globe – with the exception of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The Zoo is taking a pro-active approach to prepare for the arrival of HPAI in Aotearoa and is working closely with Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), Department of Conservation (DOC), and Auckland Council colleagues to minimise the risk to the animals in our care.

PSA: Australia Bush Track maintenance

From Monday 4 – Friday 8 May 2026, part of our Australia Bush Track (the Cunningham’s skinks habitat and the walk through between the kangaroo habitat and the Australia birds aviary) will be receiving some essential maintenance works.

While the works are taking place, the remainder of our immersive Australia Bush Track remains accessible with entry/exit at each end of the track.

PSA: Emperor tamarin habitat maintenance

From Monday 11 – Wednesday 13 May, the emperor tamarins 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: 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.