Giving back to our community

We are providing an accessible gateway to reconnect people with whānau, nature and wildlife to enhance their wellbeing right here in Tāmaki Makaurau – all for free*! Invited groups can explore and discover over 120 species from New Zealand and around the world (more than 2900 animals) set in beautifully designed habitats and botanically immersive tracks – which invites us to all to reflect on kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for te taiao (the natural environment).  

Our community programme provides an accessible gateway to reconnect people with nature, enhance wellbeing, foster empathy, build optimism and mobilise social change for people to become powerful advocates for healthy communities and healthy ecosystems. Free access to the Zoo as part of the programme is included for our communities where the price of admission tickets remains one of the biggest obstacles to visiting Auckland Zoo.

Eligibility

The programme is available for community groups based on geographical areas and particular focus groups depending on funding, and given as a priority to community groups in the below list: 

  1. Households with low income / unemployed  
  2. People with additional needs and/or disabilities  
  3. High equity index schools or ECE centres (previously low decile)
  4. Community-serving organisations that work with individuals that fit the above criteria 

*Terms and conditions apply.

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Please see above for details and criteria for applying for our Wellbeing in Nature Community Programme. Any community group meeting the criteria can express interest, but please be aware that priority will be given to those within specific geographic locations and/or groups and to those whose wellbeing will benefit the most from a Zoo visit at that time.

The steps for expressing interest are:

  1. Express interest by emailing community@aucklandzoo.co.nz.
  2. If your application meets the criteria outlined on the Wellbeing in Nature page at the time of submission, it will be approved and you’ll get a confirmation email (including your group’s tickets and other programme details) that you can use to visit the Zoo on your chosen day. If your application is not currently eligible, we may email to confirm if you would like to be considered for future rounds.
  3. Visit the Zoo and spend time in nature. Explore our online wrap-around resource pack to deepen connections with nature.
  4. Complete a post visit survey to help us help our community.

If you work for a charity/community group and feel that your community would benefit from the programme but you don’t currently meet the criteria above, please get in touch with our community team here and briefly tell us about your group and why you'd like to help your community to visit the Zoo.

Unfortunately, our individuals and whānau initiative has now closed. We hope there will be other opportunities for you to apply again in the future.

Access to the programme must be requested at least 5 working days in advance in order for us to process your request.

If you are a low decile school or ECE centre in a low socio-economic community and feel that you would benefit from tickets for your class – please get in touch with our community team here and briefly tell us about your school and why you'd like to help your community to visit the Zoo.

  1. Standard Auckland Zoo Terms and Conditions apply.
  2. Applicants will only be accepted from specific geographic locations or focus community groups.
  3. Tickets as part of this programme are not transferable or for resale, and ID may be checked at entry to confirm the tickets are being used by the application holder and their group.
  4. Successful applicants may apply to transfer ticket dates (subject to funding and space availability). They must email the community team to request to transfer dates.
  5. Tickets as part of this programme cannot be upgraded to an Annual Pass Membership.
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Nurture your wellbeing in nature

Our wellbeing is a key part of keeping healthy and happy, and it's as easy as stepping out the door! Whether it's a stroll through the local park or watching the clouds, bringing nature into your everyday life is proven to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

We can connect with nature anywhere, and we have a range of activities that can be done online, at home, in your back garden or local to home. 

Wellbeing in Nature

The key purposes of this programme for Tāmaki Makaurau communities are to:

  1. Give equitable opportunities for diverse and often underserved communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to access the Zoo for a visit.
  2. Support whānau to spend time together to build social cohesion and relationships.
  3. Nurture lifelong connections to nature.
  4. Enhance the wellbeing of our communities.

These purposes acknowledge how important natural spaces – like the Zoo – are for social and mental wellbeing, reparation, and recovery.

The Wellbeing in Nature Community Programme is currently supported by external funding and has previously been supported by the Local Activation Fund Programme and/or Discount Programme, administered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of the New Zealand Government.