Auckland Zoo to introduce new ticketing options from 1 August

Auckland Zoo is introducing some new ticketing options with more flexibility to help meet rising costs and reduce our [the Zoo’s] reliance on ratepayer funding while maintaining subsidised entry fees for people in our local communities.

This follows four years of reduced ticket pricing while building the now multi-award winning South East Asia Jungle Track - the Zoo’s biggest ever development. 

The changes, which come into effect on 1 August, include peak and off-peak tickets and cheaper ‘book-in-advance’ options for Aucklanders. Children under four years remain free and there are no changes to annual pass membership fees or school visits. 

As part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) - a Council-Controlled Organisation – the Zoo has to do its part to help TAU reach its target saving of $34.5m for the 2023/24 financial year, which means we can no longer subsidise entry fees for New Zealanders visiting from outside of Auckland. 

“Times like these can be really challenging for a not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation like the Zoo. We have to find new ways to work more efficiently and trust that our audiences see the value of the work we do. Our local communities are hugely important to us, and I am thrilled that Aucklanders can still visit for the discounted fees we introduced in 2018 when work on the South East Asia Jungle Track began, as long as they book in advance!”, says Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley. 

New Zealanders living outside of Auckland that visit will now pay the same price as international visitors; $35/adult and $20/child during peak* days (*weekends, school, and public holidays), and a new price of $29/adult and $16.50/child for off-peak days. 

Benefits for Aucklanders 

Auckland residents will continue to be able to visit for the same current adult $24 price and child tickets will cost $14 during peak visitation periods – they’ll just need to book a day in advance (by 12pm the day prior).

Aucklanders who book in advance and also choose off-peak, will pay the even cheaper price of $19 for an adult, and $11 for a child (4-14 years). The Zoo will continue its community ticket programme, which offers free entry for people and groups not in a position to access normal or subsidised Zoo tickets. Auckland visitors can also purchase fully flexible tickets (valid for up to three months) that they can use any day of the week - peak or off-peak, for $29/adult and $16.50/child. Aucklanders who purchase tickets on the day of their visit will now pay $29/adult and $16.50/child on peak days, and $24/adult and $14/child for off-peak days.

“As well as the cost benefits to visitors, we hope the changes will encourage more people to visit on off-peak days and alleviate some pressure on resources like parking in the local area - meaning an even better Zoo experience for everyone. This will also enable the Zoo (carbonzero since 2016) to better plan and predict daily visitor numbers to help reduce waste, like food from our cafés, supporting us to become even more sustainable,” explains Kevin.

Auckland Zoo, recognised as one of the world’s leading modern zoos and a winner of national and international awards for its animal habitats, visitor experiences and conservation mahi, remains one of the most affordable accredited zoo experiences in Australasia. (For example, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, an adult ticket costs $A$45.90 ($NZ54/adult) and a child $A27 ($NZ29.40).

The Zoo covers more than two thirds of its costs with revenue generated on site, of which a large proportion is from general admission fees.

“As a not-for-profit, our ticketing revenue contributes to supporting the animals in our care, to the many and varied conservation work we’re part of, including vital breed-for-release programmes for endangered endemic wildlife, conservation education programmes, and other activities that enable us to deliver on our mission ‘to bring people together to build a future for wildlife,” says Kevin.