WellingtonSee & Do
A group of people leaning against a wooden railing, looking at a giraffe at the Wellington Zoo.

Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo

The first carboNZero-certified zoo in the world, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo puts conservation at the centre of everything it does.

Set into the hills of the city-fringe suburb of Newtown, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo is a thoroughly modern institution dedicated to conservation and sustainability. From solving a lion’s itchy ears to keeping native penguins well-fed, the team of veterinarians and keepers know how to keep animals happy and put their welfare first. Walking around the 13-hectare zoo, you’ll see a happy group of well-looked-after creatures in habitats designed for their specific needs. The staff at Wellington Zoo prioritise animal welfare in everything they do. With more than 500 animals on site, the keepers have their hands full.

Wandering around the zoo, there’s plenty to take in. See a lemur hanging from a tree or a capybara chomping on some leaves. Spy native birds like kea soaring overhead in their free-flight habitat, or hop into the Australian precinct, where kangaroos roam.

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Visitors can get up close and personal with Wellington Zoo’s unique and memorable experiences. Pat a lemur, hang out with a capybara or tiger, or feed a meerkat or sun bear on a Close Encounter. There are behind-the-scenes experiences with herbivores, birds, primates, carnivores, and minibeasts on offer.

Wellington Zoo’s commitment to making the world a better place goes beyond its animal programmes. It is consistently recognised as a leader in sustainability. This is a thread that runs through everything it does, down to the staff uniform suppliers and the souvenirs sold in the gift shop.

Wellington Zoo is also the world’s first Toitū carboNZero certified zoo, meaning it’s officially carbon neutral. It’s programmes like this that make Wellington Zoo so wonderful. Everything it does respects our natural environment, animal welfare, sustainability, and conservation. Setting an example for visitors and locals alike.

2 otters playing underwater at Wellington Zoo.

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