Zoo’s summer art trail celebrates connecting in nature

Visitors to Auckland Zoo this summer can enjoy creative artworks inspired by nature in a special ‘In Your Nature’ Community Art Trail – now open and running until 8 February 2026.

Selected from hundreds of entries from nature lovers across Aotearoa, the trail features 88 prints of art, photography, and poetry by everyone from toddlers to octogenarians, expressing how connecting in and with nature inspires them.

“Nature is all around us in Auckland – we have wētā and tuī in our gardens, penguins, and dolphins at the beach. Auckland Zoo’s new art trail explores how close we are to native flora and fauna, and how they inspire people. Noticing nature and taking small actions to support it - this is what DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign is all about,” says Bec Rush, DOC Operations Manager Tāmaki Makaurau.

“Our team at DOC are proud to have Auckland Zoo as a partner bolstering and supporting conservation across Aotearoa. Right in our largest city, the Zoo connects visitors to our country’s wildlife and shares simple actions that can protect animals and their homes.”

Located in the Zoo’s currently vacant habitat at the end of the Africa Safari Track, the trail also offers visitors relaxing spaces to sit and enjoy kai and time together. In addition, from Tuesday 6 January to Saturday 7 February, the Zoo’s Conservation Learning kaimahi will run Nature Art sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am to11.30am, and 2pm to 3.30pm.

“We’re inviting visitors to let nature, and their imaginations, inspire and guide them in creating some ephemeral art with natural materials, the kind you’d find in your own backyard or neighbourhood. From forming patterns in sand or soil, to sculpting with shells, stones, leaves and logs, shadow art or raranga (weaving), we’ll be encouraging people to stop by, relax and leave something behind for others to see,” says Conservation Learning facilitator, PJ Bickerstaff.