How do you connect with nature?

Research shows that spending time with wildlife and in green spaces lowers stress, boosts mood and deepens our sense of belonging. At the Zoo, every connection with nature is also a connection to your own wellbeing.

We’re inviting our community to share what connecting with nature means to them - through art, photography or poetry. Whether it's a drawing of your favourite animal, a photo of you and your whānau at the Zoo, or even an abstract representation of nature - we want to see how connecting with and in nature inspires you.

What you can submit:

  • Art (submitted as photos of the original piece)
  • Photography
  • Poetry

Open to all ages and abilities, from finger painting to fine art – all is welcome. This is an inclusive celebration of creativity and connection.

We are accepting submissions from you and everyone in our community to showcase your art, photography or poetry in our In Your Nature Art Trail at Auckland Zoo. 

Submissions for this exhibition are open to everyone (from amateur to professional artists and everything in between) from Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 21 November 2025. 

Submissions for the In Your Nature Art Trail must be received by 11:45pm, Friday 21 November 2025 to be considered for selection to be showcased in the art trail. 

The In Your Nature Art Trail will open to all Auckland Zoo visitors from Thursday 18 December 2025 to Sunday 8 February 2026. Entry is free with an Auckland Zoo general admission ticket or an Auckland Zoo Membership.

Images of the artworks will be selected by a Zoo panel to be printed and displayed on the In Your Nature Art Trail. The original file will belong to the submitter; however, we retain the rights to the printed material and can use it beyond the trail. Please be aware that may not be able to display all the submissions we receive.

Your entry must be your own work, must not be copied, must not contain any materials and/or content that you do not have permission to use, and must not include any trademarks. We are championing art that is created with nature in mind, and because of this, would prefer that AI-use is limited and/or disclosed.

Where there are photos of other people, you must have their explicit approval to submit their likeness or image. Submissions for under-18-year-olds must have parents/guardians' permission. 

Submissions from a school/community/group that includes images of under-18-year-olds must have consent from parents/guardians. The school/community/group takes responsibility for getting the appropriate consent before submitting this entry. 

Submissions must not show inappropriate or dangerous behaviour, or otherwise be obscene, defamatory, distasteful, offensive, or in breach of any applicable law or regulation.  

Submission 

By submitting your artwork, photography or poetry through this form, you are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.  

By submitting your work to Auckland Zoo, you give Auckland Zoo permission to print and display your submissions in accordance with our brand guidelines. 

Our Zoo team will review all submissions and be in contact if your submission has been selected to be displayed in our In Your Nature Art Trail by Monday 3 December 2025.

Need some hints of what you could do? Use all your senses

Think about what connecting with te taiao (the natural world) smells like

  • Is it wet leaves at your local park?
  • Is it the salt air at your favourite beach?

Think about what connecting with te taiao feels like

  • Is it mud or sand between your toes?
  • Is there a place that brings you joy?
Video

The Science of Wellbeing at Auckland Zoo

Dr Sarah describes how connecting with nature and wildlife at the Zoo does wonders for your wellbeing

Five ways to Wellbeing with Auckland Zoo!

The five ways to wellbeing were developed by the New Economics Foundation – an accessible and simple way for people to improve their wellbeing. Below are the five ways and how you can recognise them and realise the benefits.

Connect
Connecting with friends and family or even other people makes you feel happier as you strengthen your sense of belonging. So, even if you are visiting on your own, our friendly staff and volunteers are happy to welcome you as friends! Whether you’re taking a quick stroll with your little one, or much deserved coffee date with a friend – doing so at the Zoo isn’t your average day!

Be Active
The Zoo covers five tracks connecting you with wildlife locally and from around the world, so it’s no surprise that a day of wandering will rack up your step count (according to a reliable source that can be over 4000 steps!). A visit to the Zoo can tick exercise off your to do list while not feeling like it - you’re not going to see a giraffe or snack on some hot chips at your local gym!

Keep learning
Being a life-long learner contributes to increasing your self-confidence and self-esteem. Being curious about the world around you expands your world more, plus, it’s so much fun! Like how a giraffe’s tongue isn’t just for getting food…but also to lick their eyes and nose to keep them clean. So let curiosity be your guide – but we have maps as well if you need it!

Take notice
There’s countless research that shows that moments not minutes with nature are really good for your wellbeing.  Appreciating and recognising these moments requires that we pause and/or slow down and take in the natural world. So, take a moment to spot the serval, see an orchid bloom, or hear the siamang vocalising. You don’t have to switch your phone on to silent at the Zoo, but you might as well.

Give
At times, giving can be seen as being just about money, but it can be as simple as opening a door! At the Zoo, every time you visit you help support vital conservation work we do at the Zoo and in the wild. This is the same for when you’re enjoying a nice hokey-pokey ice cream at the Watering Hole or buying that cheetah keyring you know would look cute on your car keys. By giving your time to the Zoo, those work deadlines don’t always seem as ‘important’.