Our Early Childhood Education sessions are fantastic ways for New Zealand's youngest students to explore and discover in a guided format and learn through play. We are thrilled to be able to offer truly interactive education sessions with distinct focuses that will make for a meaningful visit to the Zoo for children and adults alike.

Children (tamariki) will enjoy a session with one of our educators in a dedicated education space where they'll dance, sing, roleplay, join in an interactive story and they may even have the chance to meet an animal or two! After the session is concluded the group will continue onwards and can enjoy the Zoo at their own pace for the rest of the day.

We look forward to welcoming you and teaching the next generation of wildlife conservationists.

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Awesome Aotearoa

Children will be native explorers looking for native Taonga. The tamariki will be read a story using puppets and actions.

They will participate in activities that engage their gross and fine motor skills and journey through selected habitats in Te Wao Nui to observe several different NZ animals.

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Wild at the Zoo

Children will explore the work that goes into taking care of the animals in the Zoo. The tamariki will read a story with props and establish what animals need to live healthy, happy lives.

They will use role-play to discover the different jobs in the zoo and how these roles help our animals. The children will then have the opportunity to explore these ideas with adults and supervisors through dress-ups and imaginative play.

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Animal Antics

Children will discover that all animals are unique and have special features that help them to survive. The tamariki will read a story, then act out the animals from the book.

Children will learn that animals have different adaptations on their bodies that help them to survive in their habitats. They will have the opportunity to engage in different activities to explore this idea.

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Bugs bugs bugs!

What is a bug? Children will be explorers looking for bugs and entomologists who study bugs.

The tamariki will be read a story using puppets, dress ups and actions, then participate in activities that engage their different senses. 

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Self-guided visits

If you would prefer to guide yourself at the Zoo and do not wish to have support from our educators, this is considered a self-guided visit.

However, we recommend incorporating one of the above sessions into your visit to help you get the most out of your trip.

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Zoo visit with session included:

  1. Children (0 - 5 years) - $5 each
  2. Teachers / Adults (1:3) - Free
  3. Additional adults - $19 each

Self-guided Zoo visit:

  1. All children 5 years and under in ECE groups - Free
  2. All adults (including teachers and supervisors) - $19 each
  3. Children over 5 years - $12 each

Bookings are essential. Available during term time (9.30am - 4.15pm, last entry)

Auckland Zoo delivers education sessions in accordance with the Ministry of Education's Te Whāriki.

  1. WELLBEING | MANA ATUA
    1. Goal: Children experience an environment where their emotional well-being is nurtured
  2. BELONGING | MANA WHENUA
    1. Goal: Children and their families experience an environment where connecting links with the family and the wider world are affirmed and extended
    2. Goal: Children and their families experience an environment where they know that they have a place
  3. CONTRIBUTION | MANA TANGATA
    1. Goal: Children experience an environment where they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others
  4. COMMUNICATION | MANA REO
    1. Goal: Children experience an environment where they develop non-verbal communication skills for a range of purposes
    2. Goal: Children experience an environment where they discover and develop different ways to be creative and expressive
  5. EXPLORATION | MANA AOTŪROA
    1. Goal: Children experience an environment where their play is valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play is recognised
    2. Goal: Children experience an environment where they learn strategies for active exploration, thinking, and reasoning