Whakanui Huritau

Catering options are available for pre-purchase - see the menu here.

You are also welcome to bring your own food. Please note there are no cooking, cooling or storage facilities available onsite, and we do not allow barbecues.

Some animals are sensitive to costumed characters. Visitors must not bring any costumes into the Zoo. Please check with our experience products team if you are unsure.

Yes, Friends of the Zoo members receive 20% off any extra tickets bought that complement the birthday package. Please ​contact our experience products team for details.​

Due to the size of the party venue and health and safety policies, we cannot accept more than a maximum of 50 guests, including infants.

​If your guest numbers are larger than this, talk to us about your requirements as there may be another suitable venue for your party at the Zoo.​

At Critter Cottages, there are two large cottages for face painting and food tables, plus there are two large fixed shade umbrellas at the site and an Ezi-Up gazebo to shade the seating area. Both the Classrooms venue and Kidzone venue are fully under cover.

Included in the party package are colorful tablecloths and bunting available at no extra cost.

If you do wish to bring in extra decorations, please ensure that you discuss this with the Experience Products team first to ensure that no prohibited items are brought in. For the safety of our animals and environment, balloons, balls, piñatas, confetti, whistles, scatters and party poppers are not permitted.​

In addition, it is important that no damage is caused to the facilities. Therefore we do not allow the use of nails, screws or adhesives (including blu-tac). You may use the 3M Command range of hooks to put up decorations. All equipment and decorations must be removed at the conclusion of the party (within your hire period).​​

Parties will take place regardless of weather, unless the Zoo itself is closed (in which case full refunds will be issued or we can work with you to reschedule the party). We will hold your party in a wet-weather, covered venue if the weather is set to be rainy, or if the lawn of Critter Cottages is muddy from recent rain.

If you are in any doubt and have not yet had a site visit with one of the Experience Products team, we invite you to book a time to view the party venue with one of us between 10am and 4pm.

We cannot issue refunds for guests who do not show up.

Wristbands can only be used for entry to your party and are not transferable as entry to the Zoo on any other day or time.

If you have extra guests on the day, or they forget their wristbands, they will have to purchase general admission tickets at cashiers and are eligible for the kids' party discount of 10%.

All party changes, postponements and cancellations must be negotiated directly with the Experience Products booking team and are at the discretion of Auckland Zoo.

If a party is cancelled at any time, the deposit is non-refundable. If a party is cancelled within ten days of the party date, all monies paid are non-refundable.

Your final guest count is due at least ten working days prior to your party date. No changes can be made after this time.​

Payment of your remaining balance must be received at least ten working days prior to your party date. If the balance is not paid in full by this date, the party may be cancelled.

Once we receive your final balance payment we will send out wristbands. It is your responsibility to ensure that your guests receive these and wear them on the day.​

Yes. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due when you make your booking. We are unable to reserve dates before receiving your deposit. If you are booking less than ten days before your requested date, full numbers and payment is required to secure the date.

We will do our best to accommodate any preferences you have. Auckland Zoo reserves the right to decide the party venue based on the weather and your group size.