Auckland Zoo Guide: Tickets, Animals & Tips (2026)

Auckland Zoo is one of New Zealand’s most-loved family attractions — 17 hectares of beautifully designed habitats home to 100+ animal species, world-class kiwi conservation programmes, and the country’s most accessible immersive wildlife experience. Set in Western Springs Park, 10 minutes from the CBD, the zoo combines naturalistic exhibits (the African Savanna, the new Asian Jungle Track, and Te Wao Nui native NZ habitats) with conservation breeding work that has helped save endangered species. This complete Auckland Zoo guide covers everything you need: 2026 ticket prices, the must-see animals, behind-the-scenes tours, feeding times, the Zoo Map, family tips, and how to make a half-day or full-day visit.

Quick facts

• Address: Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022
• Hours: 09:30-17:30 daily (last entry 16:00)
• 2026 ticket prices: Adult NZ$29 / Child NZ$13 / Concession NZ$22 / Family 2A+2C NZ$84
• Annual pass: Adult NZ$120 / Child NZ$50
• Te Wao Nui Tour: NZ$59 adult, includes zoo entry — 60 minutes guided
• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (10am-12pm) — fewest crowds
• Time needed: Half-day for highlights; full day for behind-the-scenes tour
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes — fully accessible, wheelchairs free at entry
• Parking: Limited paid parking on-site (NZ$10/day) plus surrounding free street parking
• Phone: +64 9 360 3805
• Website: aucklandzoo.co.nz

Auckland Zoo tickets and prices

Standard admission (2026)

• Adult (16+): NZ$29
• Child (4-15): NZ$13
• Child (under 4): Free
• Concession (senior, student): NZ$22
• Family pass (2 adults + 2 children): NZ$84
• Family pass (2 adults + 3 children): NZ$96
• School groups (10+ children): NZ$10/child + 1 free supervisor per 10 kids

Annual passes

• Adult annual pass: NZ$120
• Child annual pass: NZ$50
• Family annual pass (2+2): NZ$300
• Concession annual pass: NZ$90

Annual passes pay for themselves with 5+ visits per year. Auckland Zoo members get free entry to 200+ partner zoos worldwide via the WAZA reciprocal programme.

How to buy tickets

Buy online at aucklandzoo.co.nz to skip the entrance queue (particularly important on weekends and school holidays). Tickets are also sold at the entrance (cash or card). Third-party retailers (Klook, Viator, Trip.com) sometimes offer marginal discounts but rarely beat the zoo’s own pricing.

Must-see animals at Auckland Zoo

Te Wao Nui — native New Zealand

Te Wao Nui is Auckland Zoo’s flagship — a six-zone immersive habitat showcasing native New Zealand wildlife in carefully recreated environments. The most-loved zone is the Kiwi House (Te Po), where lighting is reversed so the nocturnal kiwi are awake during visiting hours. You’ll see brown kiwi up close — sometimes from less than 2 metres. Other Te Wao Nui zones include:

• The Coast — NZ marine and coastal birds — gannets, fairy terns, blue penguins.
• The Islands — tuatara (the country’s “living fossil” reptile), takahē, kākāriki.
• The Wetlands — tui, kererū, tūī, royal spoonbills.
• The Night — the kiwi habitat with reversed lighting; also home to ruru (morepork owl).
• The Forest — NZ native forest bird species and reptiles.
• The High Country — kea (the world’s only alpine parrot), kākā, grand skinks.

Te Wao Nui is an essential 60-90 minutes of your zoo visit. The Kiwi House alone justifies the entry — it’s one of the only places in NZ where you can reliably see the iconic kiwi during daytime hours.

African Savanna

The African Savanna is the zoo’s largest single habitat — 6 hectares featuring giraffes, zebras, ostriches, springbok, and the famous lion pride. The mixed-species exhibit was redeveloped 2018-2021 and is one of the country’s most-photographed zoo sections. Lion feeding times (typically 10:30am Wed-Sun) draw the biggest crowds.

Asian Jungle Track

The Asian Jungle Track is Auckland Zoo’s newest major exhibit (opened 2023), featuring Sumatran tigers, orangutans, gibbons, and other Asian rainforest species in immersive walking-through-the-jungle habitats. The orangutan family is the highlight — Auckland Zoo participates in international Sumatran orangutan conservation breeding.

Other major exhibits

• Pridelands — elephant exhibit (currently transitioning as the elephant programme winds down).
• South America — spider monkeys, capybaras, anacondas, golden lion tamarins.
• Australia — wallabies, emus, Tasmanian devils, kookaburras.
• Galapagos — giant tortoises, marine iguanas (visiting exhibit periodically).
• Aviary — 30+ bird species in a walkthrough enclosure.
• Pacific Reef — tropical fish, sharks, rays, sea turtles.

Daily feeding and encounter times

Auckland Zoo runs daily keeper talks and feeding sessions across the major exhibits. Times vary slightly by season but the core schedule is:

• 10:00am — Tiger keeper talk (Asian Jungle Track)
• 10:30am — Lion feeding (African Savanna, Wed-Sun)
• 11:00am — Orangutan keeper talk (Asian Jungle Track)
• 11:30am — Giraffe keeper experience (NZ$10 add-on, includes feeding)
• 12:00pm — Cheetah keeper talk
• 1:00pm — Sea lion keeper talk
• 1:30pm — Otter feeding
• 2:00pm — Penguin feeding (Te Wao Nui)
• 2:30pm — Meerkat keeper talk
• 3:00pm — Tuatara keeper talk (Te Wao Nui)
• 3:30pm — Bird show (seasonal)

Get the day’s exact times from the Zoo Map at the entrance or via the Auckland Zoo app (free, iOS and Android). Plan your route to catch 4-5 keeper talks across the day — they add depth and behind-the-scenes context to the exhibits.

Auckland Zoo’s history

Auckland Zoo opened in 1922 with a small collection of donated animals. The zoo grew through the 20th century as Auckland’s population expanded, and major redevelopments in the 1990s and 2000s transformed the original cage-style exhibits into the naturalistic immersive habitats visible today. Te Wao Nui (the native NZ section) opened in 2011 as the country’s most ambitious indigenous-wildlife exhibit. The Asian Jungle Track opened in 2023 as the zoo’s largest single redevelopment in two decades.

The zoo has been operated by Auckland Council since 1992 (previously by the Auckland Regional Council). It now operates as part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the council’s economic development organisation. Auckland Zoo is internationally accredited by WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and ZAA (Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia), guaranteeing high welfare standards across all exhibits.

Behind-the-scenes tours

Te Wao Nui Tour

Te Wao Nui Tour is Auckland Zoo’s flagship guided tour — 60 minutes through the native NZ habitats with a Zoo Guide explaining conservation work, kiwi breeding programmes, and tuatara biology. Includes general zoo entry. NZ$59 adult / NZ$25 child / NZ$140 family. Worth the upgrade for first-time visitors who want depth alongside the standard exhibit experience.

Other behind-the-scenes options

• Giraffe Keeper for a Day — 30 minutes feeding giraffes; NZ$30 add-on to entry.
• Penguin Encounter — 20-minute behind-the-scenes meeting with the penguin keepers; NZ$45.
• Tiger Keeper Experience — 90-minute experience with the tiger team; NZ$295 (includes lunch).
• Orangutan Encounter — 60-minute special encounter with the orangutan family; NZ$295.
• Wild Walk Tour — 90-minute conservation-focused tour; NZ$80 adult / NZ$40 child.

Special encounters book out 2-4 weeks ahead in summer. Reserve via aucklandzoo.co.nz/experiences.

Combine the zoo with Western Springs

Auckland Zoo sits within the wider Western Springs Park (Auckland’s deepest fresh-water lake plus the volcanic crater that gives the park its name). Combining the zoo with the wider park makes a full free + paid family day:

• Western Springs Lake walk — 1 km circular path; ducks, swans, eels in the water.
• Western Springs playground — next to the lake; free; kids’ play structures.
• MOTAT (Museum of Transport & Technology) — tram and steam train rides; NZ$19 adult / NZ$10 child.
• The Wallace Arts Trust at Pah Homestead — nearby heritage gallery (a 10-min drive south).
• Western Springs Stadium — the venue for major outdoor concerts and Pasifika Festival.
• Free public BBQs — around the park for picnic lunches.

A full family day might be: zoo morning (3 hours), MOTAT afternoon (2 hours), Western Springs Lake walk (45 min), free public-BBQ lunch in between. Roughly NZ$48 adult / NZ$23 child for the combined experience — extraordinary value for a full family day.

Suggested visit itineraries

Half-day visit (3 hours)

• 9:30am: Arrive at opening; head to Te Wao Nui first (kiwi at quietest viewing).
• 10:30am: Lion feeding at African Savanna.
• 11:00am: Orangutan keeper talk.
• 11:30am: Asian Jungle Track exploration.
• 12:30pm: Cafe lunch on-site.
• 1:00pm: Exit / continue to half-day attractions.

Full-day visit (5-6 hours)

• 9:30am: Te Wao Nui (60 minutes; quiet morning kiwi viewing).
• 10:30am: Lion feeding.
• 11:00am: Orangutan keeper talk + Asian Jungle Track.
• 12:00pm: Cheetah keeper talk.
• 12:30pm: Cafe lunch on-site.
• 1:30pm: South America + Australia exhibits.
• 2:00pm: Penguin feeding (Te Wao Nui).
• 2:30pm: Aviary walkthrough.
• 3:00pm: Tuatara keeper talk.
• 3:30pm: Pacific Reef.
• 4:00pm: Final exhibits + gift shop.
• 5:30pm: Exit.

With kids (4 hours)

• 9:30am: Te Wao Nui (kiwi house first — kids’ attention is best at the start).
• 10:30am: Lion feeding.
• 11:00am: African Savanna giraffes (giraffe encounter NZ$30 add-on).
• 12:00pm: Cafe lunch.
• 1:00pm: Asian Jungle Track + orangutan keeper talk.
• 1:30pm: Pacific Reef + South America short loop.
• 2:00pm: Penguin feeding.
• 2:30pm: Final exhibits + departure.

Where to eat at Auckland Zoo

• Old Elephant House Café — the main on-site café. Brunch, sandwiches, pies, coffee. Outdoor seating with views of the savanna.
• Zoofari Express — family-friendly café near Te Wao Nui. Kids’ menus, ice cream, simple meals.
• Picnic at Western Springs — the surrounding park is free and picnic-friendly; bring food from home.
• BYO food — the zoo allows you to bring your own food. Many families bring picnics for outdoor consumption.
• Coffee carts — seasonal, around major exhibit areas.

How to get to Auckland Zoo

• By car — 10 minutes from Auckland CBD via Great North Road. Limited paid parking on-site (NZ$10/day); free street parking around Western Springs Lake.
• By bus — Outer Link bus from Britomart, alight at MOTAT (5-min walk to zoo). Or 18 bus from Customs Street.
• By Uber — NZ$15-22 from CBD.
• By bike — Auckland Council cycle path connects from CBD via NW Cycle Route. Free bike racks at zoo entrance.
• Combine with MOTAT — Museum of Transport & Technology is next door; combo deal available.

Photography at Auckland Zoo

• Best photography times — early morning (10am-12pm) when animals are most active and lighting is softer.
• Tigers and orangutans — the Asian Jungle Track has glass viewing panels with limited reflections; photograph from the side angles.
• Kiwi — low-light photography only in Te Po (Kiwi House); flash strictly forbidden. Use ISO 6400+ on cameras; phone cameras struggle.
• Giraffes — the African Savanna giraffes have the best portrait angles around 11am during the daily keeper feeding.
• Lions — 10:30am feeding is the prime action shot — book ahead for front-row viewing.
• Birds in the aviary — walkthrough exhibit allows close photography; bring a fast lens for moving birds.
• Tuatara — low-light habitat; macro lens or strong zoom helpful.
• Drones forbidden — drone photography is not permitted on zoo grounds.

A perfect Auckland Zoo day

If you’re visiting Auckland Zoo for the first time, here’s the optimal day plan with timings:

• 9:30am — arrive at opening; collect Zoo Map and audio guide.
• 9:45am — Te Wao Nui first — kiwi house at quietest viewing.
• 10:30am — walk to African Savanna for lion feeding (Wed-Sun).
• 11:00am — orangutan keeper talk on Asian Jungle Track.
• 11:30am — giraffe keeper experience (NZ$30 add-on for a feeding moment).
• 12:00pm — Old Elephant House Café for lunch.
• 1:00pm — South America & Australia exhibits.
• 2:00pm — Te Wao Nui penguin feeding — quieter than morning kiwi house but excellent.
• 2:30pm — Pacific Reef and Aviary walkthrough.
• 3:30pm — coffee break at Zoofari Express.
• 4:00pm — final exhibits and gift shop.
• 5:00pm — walk to Western Springs Lake for a 30-min lake walk.
• 6:00pm — drive home or continue to Ponsonby for dinner.

Auckland Zoo with kids

Auckland Zoo is one of the country’s best family attractions. Practical kid-friendly notes:

• Strollers and prams welcome throughout; level paths suit pram navigation.
• Free children’s activity packs at the entrance — kids’ map, drawing pencils, animal trail.
• Baby change facilities at the main café and entrance areas.
• Picnic spots throughout for breaks.
• Free hire of zoo-themed strollers ($10 deposit refundable).
• Children’s playground adjacent to the entrance.
• Sensory-friendly mornings on the first Sunday of each month — quieter exhibits before public opening.
• School holiday programmes daily (kids’ workshops, behind-the-scenes activities).
• Shaded rest areas throughout for hot summer days.
• Free daily activity sheets at each major exhibit.

Best time to visit Auckland Zoo

• Weekday mornings (10am-12pm): the calmest viewing experience. Animals are most active.
• Saturday afternoons: the busiest time. Avoid unless you don’t mind crowds.
• School holidays: school holiday programmes peak July, October and December. Book ahead.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): baby animals appear at multiple exhibits.
• Summer (Dec-Feb): longer hours, more outdoor visibility.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): some nocturnal species are most active; cooler weather makes outdoor exhibits comfortable.
• Special seasonal events: Christmas at the Zoo (December), Spring Babies (October-November), Summer Lates (Friday/Saturday extended hours in February).

Auckland Zoo accessibility

• Fully wheelchair accessible — paved paths throughout most exhibits.
• Free wheelchair loan at the entrance (call ahead to reserve).
• Service animals welcome.
• Accessible toilets at multiple locations.
• Sensory-friendly Sundays first of each month.
• Audio descriptions available at major exhibits via the Auckland Zoo app.
• Visual displays at every exhibit.
• Reduced-noise sessions for autism spectrum visitors.
• Companion Card accepted (free entry for support carer).

Auckland Zoo events and seasonal programming

• Christmas at the Zoo — December; Christmas-themed encounters and special evenings.
• Summer Lates — February Friday/Saturday extended hours until 7pm.
• Spring Babies — October-November; baby animal viewings and updates.
• Conservation Talks — monthly free public talks on conservation work.
• Earth Day events — April; sustainability-focused activities.
• Wildlife Week — October; daily themed activities.
• School holiday programmes — July, October, December, April.
• Senior Tuesdays — 50% discount for over-65s on Tuesday entry.

Special exhibits and rotating attractions

Auckland Zoo regularly hosts seasonal and visiting attractions in addition to permanent exhibits. Recent and upcoming highlights:

• Spring Babies (Sep-Nov) — baby animals arrive across multiple exhibits; meerkat pups, lion cubs, giraffe calves, kiwi chicks.
• Summer Lates (Feb) — Friday and Saturday evening hours until 7pm; nocturnal animals are most active.
• Christmas at the Zoo (Dec) — festive themed events, Santa visits, holiday encounters.
• School holiday programmes — daily themed activities during NZ school holidays (July, October, December, April).
• Conservation Talks — monthly free public lectures on topical wildlife conservation issues.
• Earth Day (April) — sustainability-focused activities and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
• National Kiwi Day (April 15) — kiwi-themed activities and behind-the-scenes glimpses of breeding programmes.
• World Sea Turtle Day (June 16) — Pacific Reef themed events.
• International Tiger Day (July 29) — tiger-focused activities and conservation talks.
• Auckland Zoo birthday (March) — annual celebration of the zoo’s 1922 founding.

Auckland Zoo conservation work

Auckland Zoo is a working conservation organisation, not just a tourist attraction. The zoo participates in 40+ conservation breeding programmes for endangered species, with the brown kiwi recovery programme being the country’s most famous. The zoo’s veterinary hospital treats injured wildlife from across the upper North Island, and the zoo’s research team contributes to peer-reviewed wildlife biology publications. A portion of every ticket goes to the zoo’s conservation work, including the Mountain Bongo recovery programme in Africa, the Sumatran orangutan conservation effort, and NZ-specific work on tuatara and skink species.

The zoo’s Bird Recovery Centre at the back of the property treats 800+ injured wild birds per year, returning healthy birds to the wild. While the centre isn’t open to general visitors, the Wild Walk Tour (NZ$80) includes a brief stop at the centre.

Auckland Zoo vs other NZ zoos

• Auckland Zoo — 17 hectares; 100+ species; flagship NZ native wildlife (Te Wao Nui); world-class Asian Jungle Track. The country’s premier zoo.
• Wellington Zoo — 13 hectares; smaller but with strong NZ native programme. Notable for chimpanzee community.
• Christchurch Orana Wildlife Park — open-range African Savanna; lion encounters; primarily safari-style.
• Hamilton Zoo — 25 hectares; largest open-range zoo in NZ; chimpanzees and gorillas.
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (Christchurch) — NZ-specific native wildlife; less mainstream zoo experience.

For most international visitors, Auckland Zoo is the country’s best zoo experience — the most accessible (10 mins from CBD), the largest collection, and the strongest NZ native wildlife exhibits. Hamilton Zoo and Christchurch Orana are alternatives if you’re touring those regions.

Auckland Zoo for international visitors

For international travellers, Auckland Zoo offers something genuinely unique — kiwi viewing during daylight hours, tuatara up close, and a curated NZ native wildlife experience that’s significantly stronger than most international zoos. The combination of native NZ species (often impossible to see elsewhere in the world) plus mainstream international zoo exhibits (lions, tigers, orangutans) makes Auckland Zoo an ideal first-day Auckland activity for families. Most international visitors with kids place the zoo in their top 5 Auckland experiences.

FAQs

How much does Auckland Zoo cost?

NZ$29 adult / NZ$13 child / NZ$84 family pass (2 adults + 2 children) for standard 2026 entry.

What time does Auckland Zoo open?

09:30am daily; closes 17:30pm. Last entry 16:00.

Can I see kiwi at Auckland Zoo?

Yes — Te Wao Nui’s Kiwi House (Te Po) reverses lighting so the nocturnal kiwi are awake during visiting hours. One of the most reliable kiwi-viewing experiences in NZ.

Is Auckland Zoo worth visiting?

Yes — particularly for first-time NZ visitors keen to see kiwi and tuatara, families with kids, and conservation-minded travellers. Plan 4-5 hours minimum for a worthwhile visit.

How long does a zoo visit take?

Half-day for highlights (3 hours), full day for thorough exploration plus behind-the-scenes tour (5-6 hours). With kids, plan 4 hours including lunch break.

Can I bring food into the zoo?

Yes — picnics welcomed throughout. The zoo also has multiple cafés if you don’t want to bring food.

Is parking free?

Limited paid parking on-site (NZ$10/day). Free street parking is available around Western Springs Lake (5-min walk).

When are the keeper talks?

Daily at exhibits across the day. Lion feeding 10:30am Wed-Sun; tiger talk 10am; orangutan talk 11am; penguin feeding 2pm. Check the Zoo Map at entry for exact times.

Is Auckland Zoo wheelchair accessible?

Yes — fully accessible with paved paths, free wheelchair loan, accessible toilets, and assistance available on request.

Are there special tours?

Yes — Te Wao Nui Tour (NZ$59 adult, includes entry), Giraffe Keeper for a Day (NZ$30 add-on), Penguin Encounter (NZ$45), Tiger Experience (NZ$295), Orangutan Encounter (NZ$295). Book at aucklandzoo.co.nz.

What’s the best time to visit?

Weekday mornings 10am-12pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm are the busiest times.

Can I combine the zoo with MOTAT?

Yes — MOTAT (Museum of Transport & Technology) is next door. Combo tickets sometimes available; check both venues’ websites.

Booking strategy

Auckland Zoo is busiest on summer school-holiday weekends. Book online to skip the entry queue regardless of season. Special encounters (Tiger Experience, Orangutan Encounter, Penguin Encounter) book out 2-4 weeks ahead in summer; reserve via aucklandzoo.co.nz/experiences. The Te Wao Nui Tour is the most popular guided experience — book at least 1 week ahead in summer. Annual pass holders get priority booking on special encounters and 10% discount at the gift shop.

Auckland Zoo gift shop and merchandise

The on-site gift shop sits at the entrance and stocks a curated selection of children’s books, soft toys (kiwi, tuatara, lions), educational games, conservation-themed prints, and NZ-designed accessories. Prices are mid-range — soft toys NZ$25-65, books NZ$15-35, prints NZ$25-150. The kiwi soft toys are the most-purchased single item — a popular souvenir for families and an essential gift for nieces and nephews back home. Profits from the gift shop fund the zoo’s conservation programmes; spending here directly supports endangered species work.

Tips for visiting Auckland Zoo

• Buy tickets online to skip the entry queue.
• Arrive at 9:30am opening for the calmest experience and most active animals.
• Plan your route around 4-5 keeper talks.
• Visit Te Wao Nui first — kiwi viewing is best when fewer visitors are about.
• Bring water bottles; refilling stations throughout.
• Sun protection essential in summer; the African Savanna is largely unshaded.
• Bring a picnic for lunch outside the cafés.
• Download the Auckland Zoo app for self-guided tours and updated keeper-talk schedules.
• Combine with Western Springs Lake walk and MOTAT for a full Western Springs day.
• If visiting in summer, book Summer Lates Friday/Saturday for evening visits with no crowds.
• Annual passes pay for themselves with 5+ visits; great for Auckland-resident families.
• Check the kiwi house viewing schedule — quieter mornings are the best chance to see active kiwi.

The bottom line

Auckland Zoo is one of the country’s best family days out and the most reliable place in New Zealand to see iconic native wildlife including kiwi and tuatara. Combined with the new Asian Jungle Track and the redeveloped African Savanna, the zoo delivers world-class exhibits with strong conservation credentials. Plan a half to full day; combine with Western Springs and MOTAT for a complete Western Springs precinct experience.

Plan more family activities with our complete Auckland with kids pillar, our things to do in Auckland guide, and our Auckland Museum guide for cultural-and-wildlife day combos. Pair the zoo with our best playgrounds in Auckland guide for a full free-and-paid family day in Western Springs.