Ngā mihi nui to our invaluable volunteers!

We’re celebrating tūao/volunteers across the motu this National Volunteer Week/Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu (14 - 20 June 2026). We especially want to say a huge heartfelt ngā mihi nui to all the wonderful volunteers who give so generously of their time here at Auckland Zoo.

Free Zoo entry to all volunteers

To honour the massive contribution of all tūao, we’re offering volunteers from any organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand the opportunity to visit the Zoo on us this week by presenting a current volunteering ID on arrival.

The United Nations has proclaimed 2026 the International Year of the Volunteer and the theme for National Volunteer Week is ‘Your Year to Volunteer – Tōu tau ki te tūao’ to encourage everyone to take inspiration from the many people giving back to their communities around the world.

Mahi aroha (work gifted and done out of love) is vital to the success of Auckland Zoo. As a conservation science and community focused cultural not-for-profit organisation, we simply couldn’t achieve all we do for wildlife, wild places and people without our volunteers!

A diverse contribution

For the 364 days we’re open each year, we have an incredible 201-strong volunteer team (easily spotted in their bright red shirts – and smiles!) who give their time and skills to enhance our visitors’ zoo experiences and support our kaimahi and the animals they care for.

Our volunteers help ensure our manuhiri can find their way around and enrich their experience with tips and knowledge. They help to collect grass and vegetation for animals, assist our animal care staff in making animal enrichments, and carry out animal watches – important research as part of the Zoo’s science of care. Volunteers also support our veterinary team, help out at Zoo events, and participate in our Tuatara Club …the list goes on and on!

Collectively, Auckland Zoo volunteers contribute an incredible 34,000+ hours annually.

“Consistently showing up on their rostered daysis key to the success of our programme, and we have vollies that have been with us for over 20 years, 10 years, 5 years – it’s amazing!,” says the Zoo’s Volunteer Manager, Jill Conway.  

Commitment is key

Jill, who works with a team of four exceptional volunteer coordinators, says volunteering is reciprocal in nature.

“Not only do our wonderful volunteers enrich the Zoo and forward our mission – but if we get this right, we in turn help to provide our volunteers with greater wellbeing, a vibrant community and meaningful purpose. They’re getting to connect socially with each other, with our staff and visitors, and with te taiao/the natural world, and feel and know that they’re making a difference.

“Our volunteering programme caters to everyone - from students to retirees who want to give back to their community. Spaces in our programme are limited as we’re looking for those with a genuine interest and long-term commitment, who want to get stuck into all aspects of the Zoo – a lot of which involves assisting our visitors,” explains Jill.

Today, we’re highlighting just a selection of our volunteers and their passion for volunteering but want to express just how much we appreciate all of our volunteers past and present!

Terry Leung – Visitor Assistant

“I’ve learnt many things these past four months, and one of the most beautiful things I’ve learnt is that the Auckland Zoo puts the animals, conservation, wildlife and wild places at its core.” explains Terry.

Terry started volunteering at the Zoo four months ago, and loves the people, animals and the environment. He’s no stranger to helping out in the community, having previously volunteered at St Vincent’s Ōtāhuhu and the Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital, and is also volunteering at the SPCA Opshop currently. 

“Personally, with my journey through depression and anxiety, volunteering at Auckland Zoo has been very helpful in my recovery. Also, graduating as a Visitor Assistant has boosted my confidence that I can still learn and be helpful to others,” explains Terry.

Rumi Chosa – Visitor Assistant and Gardener

Gardening for orangutans? That’s all in a day’s work for Rumi!

Mostly retired from work (she works one day a week), she’s been consistently volunteering eight hours a week at the Zoo for more than two years.

“I love being able to contribute in different ways, like gardening in the primate habitat, assisting visitors, and helping with animal food prep when needed. It's rewarding that even small contributions help to support the animals, visitors and the Zoo team.

So much care goes into every detail of the animals' environment. Through gardening, I've come to appreciate how important naturalistic spaces are for the primates' wellbeing. I've learnt which plants they enjoy, including roses, hibiscus, pineapple sage and various herbs. It's such a joy to care for these plants, knowing they provide both enrichment and food for the animals.”

Rumi recommends volunteering as a great way to learn new skills, meet wonderful people and make a positive difference in your local community. “It's a rewarding experience, and you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it!”

Fern Buley – Tuatara Club graduate and Visitor Assistant

Our Tuatara Club is a pathway for teens to get into volunteering, learn about wildlife conservation, and gain confidence interacting with the public.

Fern recently completed our Tuatara Club programme (for 15–17-year-olds). Currently in her last year of high school, she’s been inspired to study Zoology at university next year!

“I love talking to visitors about animals, which I hope will leave them excited and eager to learn more about wildlife. I've learnt so much about the incredible fieldwork that Auckland Zoo does, and it has inspired me to pursue a career in conservation,” explains Fern.

Fern highly encourages looking for volunteering opportunities near you!

“Volunteering at the Zoo is such a highlight of my week. Through volunteering I've met people I hope will be lifelong friends and have continued to build connections. It is such an amazing opportunity, and I highly encourage people to try to join if they can.”

Phoenix Farnham – Zoo Crew

Phoenix started volunteering with us after noticing how integral volunteers are to our Zoo!

He has been volunteering with us for a year now and works as a kaiāwhina at Te Puna Reo o Ritimana (a daycare for tamariki that is fully in Te Reo Māori).

In the past, Phoenix has volunteered with The Salvation Army Māori Ministries on different events such as Waitangi celebrations, Matariki nights and other kaupapa Māori.

“I've always gone to the Zoo growing up. At one point I was going weekly as a child. In 2024, I took a trip to the Zoo and noticed the volunteers more than I ever had before and thought that maybe it'd be a good path to follow. I eventually followed through a year later,” says Phoenix.

Phoenix says he’s particularly enjoyed learning more about how the Zoo thinks about animal care, and how it relates to their daily lives and habitats.

“If you have the time and the drive, get into it! It's an awesome opportunity to get involved with and have a reason to visit the Zoo every week!”

Stephanie Watson – Zoo Guide

Stephanie says volunteering at the Zoo is the best day of her week!

Self-employed, she has been giving her time one day a week at the Zoo for the past 14 months. In the past she’s volunteered at The Breakfast Club, supporting school families at Christmas with hampers and gifts.

On one of Stephanie’s Zoo visits, she spoke with a couple of volunteers about our programme, they encouraged her to apply – and the rest is history.

“I’m so proud of Auckland Zoo and our conservation efforts in New Zealand and internationally. I love to talk to visitors and feel that we have something really special here.

The programme is so well designed to ensure that you are completely comfortable in each role. I think even more about our impact on the environment and the effect we are having on the world and the creatures we share it with. By far the biggest change in me since volunteering at Auckland Zoo is getting over my fear of wētā – I can’t give any greater praise to the Zoo ethos than that!

In volunteering over the past 20 years, I’ve experienced so much personal growth. Zoo volunteering has become an incredibly rewarding part of my life, there is a fabulous feeling of community and I’ve met people from all walks of life. I feel very privileged that I get to do this and really recommend volunteering if you have time!”