A night of connection at Zoo Lates.

Summer nights have been reimagined! Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates are back every Saturday from 17 January – 7 March (excluding Waitangi Weekend, 7 February).
Our late nights invite you to slow down and savour the moment as you experience the Zoo in a different light.

A Saturday night like no other when you wander through the Zoo, enjoy a picnic and some music, and make memories with friends and whānau.

Last admissions at 7pm. 

Zoo Lates Keeper Talk Schedule

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Te Pō Hono Dinner

Book an exotic date night at the iconic Old Elephant House, our chefs will be serving up an exclusive two-course Te Pō Hono menu.

Enjoy this delicious dinner followed by a stroll through the Zoo at dusk, an opportunity to see some of the animals at their most active time of the year.

Te Pō Hono Dinner + Zoo entry includes the two-course dinner and entry to Auckland Zoo for Zoo Lates (4pm-8pm) for one person. Bookings are essential, and bookings close the Monday before the event or until sold out.

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Member Te Pō Hono Dinner

Book an exotic date night at the iconic Old Elephant House, our chefs will be serving up an exclusive two-course Te Pō Hono menu.

Enjoy this delicious dinner followed by a stroll through the Zoo at dusk, an opportunity to see some of the animals at their most active time of the year.

Annual Pass members receive 15% off with valid I.D. Bookings are essential, and bookings close the Monday before the event or until sold out.

Te Pō Hono Dinners 2026

To ensure that your experience with us is top notch, our Te Pō Hono Dinner menus are curated using carefully chosen ingredients and a whole lot of prep magic - which is why our Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates event comes with firm terms and conditions to ensure everything runs seamlessly on the day.

We are pleased to offer a dedicated vegan option which is also made without gluten to accommodate these dietary requirements.

Please note that no additional modifications can be made to the menu and we ask that you pre-book in advance.

By booking, the Guest/Customer acknowledges that they have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and understand that it is the Guest/Customer’s responsibility to disclose any dietary requirements in advance and that undisclosed dietary requirements cannot be accommodated on the day of the event.

Pre-booking is essential; walk-ups are not available on the day. 

Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates dinner dates and sessions:

  • Saturday 17 January. Session time: 6pm
  • Saturday 24 January. Session time: 6pm
  • Saturday 31 January. Session time: 6pm
  • Saturday 21 February. Session time: 6pm
  • Saturday 28 February. Session time: 6pm
  • Saturday 7 March. Session time: 6pm

Each session is 90 mins long. One session is available each day starting at 6pm and ending at 7:30pm.

Guests must be seated no later than 30 minutes after the start time of each session. Admission will not be granted if guests arrive after 30 minutes. 

Bookings close:

  • Monday 12 January at 11pm for the event on 17 January or until sold out.
  • Monday 19 January at 11pm for the event on 24 January or until sold out.
  • Monday 26 January at 11pm for the event on 31 January or until sold out.
  • Monday 16 February at 11pm for the event on 21 February or until sold out.
  • Monday 23 February at 11pm for the event on 28 February or until sold out.
  • Monday 2 March at 11pm for the event on 7 March or until sold out.

No changes in the number of guests to be catered for will be accepted after 11pm on the dates listed above.

Any decrease in the number of guests after a booking has been made may result in the original confirmed guest number being charged.   

If you are a member, providing your Membership Number is compulsory. Members receive 15% discount off the full price.

All guests who book are advised to enter their phone number so that the caterer can confirm the booking and advise of any updates or changes if needs be.

Cancellation

  • Cancellation of the booking by the guest results in a cancellation fee as follows: 
  • Cancellation within 7 days of the booking will incur a 100% cancellation fee; 
  • Cancellation more than 7 days of the booking will incur a 50% cancellation fee; 
  • No concessions will be made for cancellations due to illness or injury, and all conditions above will apply.  

The Customer acknowledges that: 

  • Minimum orders may apply. 
  • Menu content is always subject to change due to market or seasonal availability; and where, due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. supplier shortage), The Zoo’s caterer (Montana Food & Events) is unable to provide the agreed menu or catering services, Auckland Zoo reserves the right to adapt the menu and catering services via email with the customer. 
  • In the rare case that the Zoo is forced to cancel a session, notice of cancellation will be provided within a day’s notice of a session. This is at the sole discretion of Zoo Management and all customers who have booked will receive a 100% refund. 
  • All event tickets are seated in the Old Elephant House courtyard. 
  • The Old Elephant House restaurant will be reserved on the day for walk-ups, but only with “Grab ‘n’ Go” food, not the ‘a la Carte menu’. 

If an infant (age 0 – 3 years) is attending, please ensure the infant ticket (free of charge) is booked on your order.

If you require a highchair or space for a pram/pushchair, please advise in the Special Requirements section of the booking form.

If you feel your infant (age 0 – 3 years) can eat the Kids’ Meal, you may order the meal separately. You can pay for an additional Kid’s Meal for $25 (or $21 if they are a member) and add this to the infant ticket ($0 general admission).

Please put a note in the Special Requirements section and our bookings coordinator will send you an email and payment request link for the extra Kid’s Meal order for your child. Please note that an infant ticket must be booked on your order as a pre-condition. 

The Infant (0-3 years) tickets do not include food, but are important for seating arrangements.

For children under four (who would qualify for the free infant ticket to the zoo) we recommend that you self-cater and bring food to the restaurant for the children.

However, if you have a child that is 2 or 3 years old and you’re confident that they will eat the Kid’s Meal option, you can pay for an additional kids meal for $25 and add this to the infant ticket ($0 general admission). Please put a note in the Special Requirements section and our bookings coordinator will send you an email and payment request link for the Kid’s Meal order for your child.

Te Pō Hono Picnic Box for Two

Share a cosy picnic for two at the Zoo! We have just the thing to complete your night with a delicious picnic box. Laze at the Band Rotunda with your picnic box (and your mate), chill out, make it an evening to remember.

Te Pō Hono Picnic Box for two includes: 2 baguettes filled with pastrami, buffalo mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and rocket leaves; 6 pieces of assorted sushi; and 2 strawberry and Chantilly cream tarts.

A limited number will be available from Te Puna café on the Late evening for $38. Pre-book online (and pay $34.20) before 4:30pm on the Wednesday before each Late event to receive the discount and avoid disappointment. Members receive 10% discount.

Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates Food

Te Puna

Get the Te Puna Special: pizza, fries, and a drink, all for $28! Plus, our usual range of food and drink are also available.

Open until 8pm

Mokonui café

The perfect place to relax and enjoy the stunning views of our flamingos and lions. Enjoy coffee, ice cream, burgers and more.

Open until 7pm (weather dependent)

Korimako café

Located opposite the band rotunda, this pop-up café offers American hot dogs, takeaway coffee and scoop ice cream.

Open until 7pm (weather dependent)

The Old Elephant House

The Te Pō Hono Dinner must be booked in advance, or coffee and special Lates tapas is available for walk-ups!

Open until 7pm

The Lookout café

Located in Te Wao Nui, The Lookout offers coffee, cold drinks, and a range of Kapiti ice cream.

Open until 7pm (weather dependent)

FAQs

You can buy Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates tickets online here.

Tickets are also available at the gate, however we recommend purchasing online to save time.

Your Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates ticket is able to be used from 4pm on the relevant evening you have a ticket for.

For example, if you have a Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates ticket for 24 January, you can use it to enter the Zoo from 4pm on Saturday24 January until the last entry time at 7pm.

As Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates are special events, they require their own tickets to be purchased. You can buy tickets online here.

If you are already in the Zoo having entered using a general admission ticket (or annual pass membership, etc) earlier in the day, you are welcome to stay and continue enjoying the Zoo when Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates are on.

Entry is free to Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates for all Auckland Zoo Annual Pass Members. Just show your membership card for free entry.

Yes you can. If you are already in the Zoo having entered using a general admission ticket (or annual pass membership, etc) earlier in the day, you are welcome to stay and continue enjoying the Zoo when Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates are on.

Yes! The below on-site venues are open:

Te Puna café has a $25 special: pizza, chips & drink deal, plus all the usual hot and cold café food (dine-in or takeaway).

Old Elephant House restaurant is serving a gourmet dining experience - bookings required. A special Lates tapas menu and coffee is available for walk-ups!

Mokonui café* offers takeaway burgers, hot chips, cold drinks and scoop ice cream.

Wētāpunga café has refreshing cold drinks, ice blocks from the freezer and cabinet food.

Korimako café* offers American hot dogs, takeaway coffee, cold drinks and scoop ice cream.

The Lookout café* offers coffee, cold drinks, and a range of Kapiti ice cream.

*Open hours weather dependent.

Yes, we have a range of hire items available at our information centre (pushchairs, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, child carriers and umbrellas). We take bookings in advance for these items on 09 360 3805 or email reservations@aucklandzoo.co.nz

Yes, the whole zoo is open with the exception of our Kiwi habitat, "Te Pō / The Night" which closes at 5.30pm.