What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Hamilton Zoo

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Hamilton Zoo

Home to native and exotic species set amongst lush, natural and tranquil surrounds. Pop up playgrounds around the zoo, with exciting playground at top of zoo.

Open 364 days a year (closed only Christmas Day) we are the largest zoo in New Zealand’s North Island! Home to over 500 native and exotic animals and set amidst 25ha of lush and tranquil surroundings, Hamilton Zoo is the ideal destination for a relaxing and memorable day out. Boasting the largest walk-through aviary in New Zealand dedicated to native birds and plants, take a stroll through and a c

heeky kaka may land close by. Everyday Eatery available from both sides of the Zoo and the Cafe kiosk within the Zoo (grab and go hot food, ice creams, drinks coffee). Besides being a tourism and recreation park, Hamilton Zoo is committed to the conservation of animals and the environment by participating in various conservation and research projects, and by contributing to breeding programmes for endangered species. We openly welcome your comments and encourage discussion. We ask that you are polite and respectful with your comments and views. We reserve the right to remove comments which are disrespectful, rude, abusive, contain offensive language, misinformation or are considered spam.

11/12/2024

Meet our Cotton Top Tamarin! 🐒 This little primate loves a tasty snack, and today it's peas! 🟢 You can find them munching away in their habitat, always adding a bit of fun to the day. Come see these curious creatures and all the other amazing animals here at the zoo!

04/12/2024

Join us in celebrating World Cheetah Day! 🥳

Meet our amazing cheetah coalition and learn a bit about their unique traits and behaviours:

Manni: Cousin to the three other boys, Manni often sits slightly apart from the group. He needs a bit more attention from his keepers to feel at ease, but once he’s comfortable, his lovely personality shines through.

Denzel: Like a domestic cat who sits in the doorway after demanding to be let out, Denzel will often choose to sit in transfer slides and look at his keepers rather than move through when asked. One could argue he is the smartest of the group and has trained his keepers well.

Bomani: With a coat slightly darker than his brothers and cousin, Bomani stands out in the crowd. On group carcass feed days, he’s always the first to race out and claim his spot before anyone else arrives.

Radi: Always the first to explore any new enrichment or item, Radi’s interactive nature keeps everyone entertained. Known for his good looks, he often spends time admiring himself in the mirror when it’s hung on the fence for enrichment.

Our cheetahs are fed three days a week, simulating their natural feeding habits. One feed a week is a large carcass item, encouraging group feeding behaviours. They love to move to high points of their territories to look out over vast distances, and you can often spot them relaxing on their large hill or raised shelter here at Hamilton Zoo.

Did you know cheetahs have over 4,000 spots on their coats, each pattern unique to the individual? These spots help them camouflage in long grass or foliage while stalking their prey. Next time you visit, try spotting one of our boys hidden in the tall grass patches!

📸 Keeper Shane
📸 Keeper Sam

03/12/2024

🎉🎂 Last Thursday, we celebrated Masamba's 22nd birthday, marking the special occasion for our oldest giraffe! 🎂🎉

Born at Auckland Zoo, Masamba is a beloved member of our zoo family since arriving in April 2004. He shares his home with Dume and our youngest male Jabali, who is just over 2 years of age, both born at Auckland.

By hosting this bachelor group, we played an important role in the Australasian giraffe breeding program by providing a home for non-breeding males. We are also proud to support the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in their important work to protect giraffes in the wild.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating Masamba! 🦒🎉

29/11/2024

Step into Hamilton Zoo’s Free Flight Aviary and get up close to a stunning variety of birds in their natural habitat. It’s a must-see for nature lovers—come and explore today!

26/11/2024

Did you know our ring-tailed lemurs have some super cool features that make them true acrobats of the animal world?

Their fingers and toes come with large pads that act like built-in grips, helping them stick effortlessly when they leap onto tree trunks and branches. They can easily spring up vertical walls to a height of about three metres! Even the tiniest ledges are enough for them to grip and propel themselves upwards. Talk about natural parkour experts!

And here's a quirky fact: while they have nails on all their digits, their index toe has a sharp claw that's perfect for grooming. It's like having a built-in comb to keep their fur looking fabulous and free of pests.

21/11/2024

🐯 Like mother, like daughter! 🐯

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – and in this case, the same goes for yawns! Our tiger mum and her daughter are giving us a perfect display of family traits, with their tongues out and jaws wide. Want to see these two in person? Come down to Hamilton Zoo for a day filled with incredible wildlife moments!

18/11/2024

At Hamilton Zoo, we are proud to stand behind the global call to action from the 5th SSC Leaders’ Meeting. The ‘Saving Species Sustains Life’ declaration reminds us of the critical link between biodiversity and human well-being. This global call to action underscores the need to prioritize species conservation to address crises in biodiversity loss, climate change, and human well-being. Together with the global community, we can protect species and create a sustainable future.

We support conservation through:
🏛 Government policy
🌱 Business sustainability
🌍 Community collaboration

🔗 Learn more about this important declaration: https://bit.ly/SSCLeadersMeeting2024-Declaration

14/11/2024

Today, we join zoos and aquariums worldwide in celebrating International Zoo and Aquarium Educator Day! 🦁🌿 Our educators and keepers play a vital role in our mission to inspire and inform the next generation about the wonders of wildlife and the importance of conservation.

Our team here at Hamilton Zoo are dedicated to transforming curious minds into passionate protectors of our planet. We believe in the power of education to connect people with the wonders of wildlife and the importance of preserving our natural world.

Join us in honouring the incredible efforts of our team and their commitment to making a difference. Together, we can continue to educate and inspire, ensuring a brighter future for wildlife and our environment. 🌍✨

12/11/2024

🌞🦜 Say hello to our vibrant Sun Conures at Hamilton Zoo!🌈

These dazzling birds, native to South America, are known for their bright yellow, orange, and green feathers. Sun conures are social birds that love to interact with each other and their environment. You'll often find them chattering away, playing with enrichment items, and showing off their acrobatic skills.

Next time you visit, be sure to stop by and watch these lively parrots as they socialise and play. You can find them in the parrot court.

08/11/2024

Experience the wonder of our Free-Flight Aviary at Hamilton Zoo, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant world of native birds. This kaainga (home) is designed to provide a natural and enriching environment for our feathered friends, allowing them to soar freely and engage in their natural behaviors.

When you visit, take your time and walk quietly through the aviary. This mindful approach not only enhances your experience but also increases your chances of seeing the diverse native species that call this space home.

05/11/2024

🐯Splashing into fun! 🐅

Check out this adorable video of our tiger cubs, Mayang and Andalas, having a blast in the water! 💦 These playful siblings love to cool off and enjoy some water playtime.

But did you know that tigers are one of the few big cats that actually like water? Unlike their feline cousins, tigers are powerful swimmers and often seek out rivers and lakes to bathe, hunt, and cool down. In the wild, water provides tigers with a great way to regulate their body temperature and relax.

04/11/2024

As Guy Fawkes night approaches, we kindly remind everyone to consider the impact of fireworks on our wildlife. The loud noises can be quite distressing for animals, both at the zoo and in their natural habitats. We appreciate your understanding and support in keeping our animal friends safe during this festive time.

02/11/2024

🎃 A huge thank you to everyone who attended Boo at the zoo! 🎃

It was a fantastic event filled with fun and excitement, and we loved seeing all the creative costumes and happy faces. We hope you had as much fun as we did!

📸Don't forget to share your photos with us! Tag us or post your photo in a comment below to be in to win an amazing Animal Encounter for four people. We can't wait to see your memories from this spooktacular event!

31/10/2024

🦇 Get ready for a frightfully fun time at Boo at the Zoo this Saturday! Our lemurs are already getting into the Halloween spirit with their best vampire impressions. 🧛‍♂️

Join us for a day full of spooky activities, special treats, and lots of family fun. Don't forget to come in your best costume!

📸 Also, be sure to tag or share your costume photos at the zoo with us for a chance to win an Animal Encounter for four people!

See you there for a wild and spooky adventure! 🎃👻

https://www.facebook.com/events/1051878382835374

29/10/2024

🐾Discover the playful side of our meerkat Pemba as he explores one of his enrichment toys, designed to keep his mind and body active. Enrichment is an essential part of our animals' daily lives, providing mental stimulation and promoting natural behaviours. Don't miss the chance to watch Pemba in action during your next visit to Hamilton Zoo!

25/10/2024

🌞 Long weekend plans? Hamilton Zoo is open and ready to welcome you! 🌿

🐾 Wander through our lush, scenic pathways and discover the diverse array of animals that call Hamilton Zoo home. From the playful antics of our primates to the majestic strides of our giraffes, there's always something exciting to see.

📅 Open all weekend
⏰ 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Bring your curiosity, your camera, and your sense of adventure. See you at the zoo! 🐾✨

24/10/2024

🐾 Strolling with spikes✨

Watch as our zookeepers take two of our cape porcupines for a stroll around the zoo! This exciting outing is all about training and enrichment for the porcupines, helping them stay active and engaged in their environment.

Enrichment activities like these stimulate the animals’ natural behaviours, promote physical fitness, and encourage curiosity, helping them lead healthier, happier lives. During their walk, our porcupines even visited the nearby ring-tailed lemurs, who always love to check out their curious friends!

Next time you are at Hamilton Zoo you might just catch a glimpse of this magic moment in action! These walks are not scheduled, so be sure to listen out for any announcements over the PA system.

21/10/2024

In celebration of World Reptile Day, let's meet one of our amazing residents – the Tuatara! These incredible reptiles are native to New Zealand and are the last living relatives of an ancient group of reptiles from the time of the dinosaurs!

Our Tuatara are a special part of Hamilton Zoo. We have five of them – two males and three females. You can find them in the Tuatara House near the Weka Walk. They’re masters of camouflage, so spotting them can be a fun challenge. Take your time, look closely, and you might just see one of these remarkable creatures basking in the sun or peeking out from their hiding spots.

Did you know that Tuatara have a unique "third eye" on top of their heads? It's called a parietal eye and helps them sense light and regulate their body rhythms.

Our Tuatara are an essential part of our conservation efforts here at the zoo. By providing them with a safe and enriching environment, we help ensure that these incredible animals can thrive and be appreciated by future generations.

Next time you visit Hamilton Zoo, make sure to stop by the Tuatara House. With a little patience, you might find yourself face to face with a living piece of history. And don’t forget to share your Tuatara spotting stories with us – we’d love to hear about your encounters with these living fossils!

Address

183 Brymer Road, RD9
Hamilton
3289

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday	9:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6478386720

Website

http://hamiltonzoo.co.nz/

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Videos

Step into Hamilton Zoo’s Free Flight Aviary and get up close to a stunning variety of birds in their natural habitat. It’s a must-see for nature lovers—come and explore today!

🐯Splashing into fun! 🐅 Check out this adorable video of our tiger cubs, Mayang and Andalas, having a blast in the water! 💦 These playful siblings love to cool off and enjoy some water playtime. But did you know that tigers are one of the few big cats that actually like water? Unlike their feline cousins, tigers are powerful swimmers and often seek out rivers and lakes to bathe, hunt, and cool down. In the wild, water provides tigers with a great way to regulate their body temperature and relax.

🐾 Strolling with spikes✨ Watch as our zookeepers take two of our cape porcupines for a stroll around the zoo! This exciting outing is all about training and enrichment for the porcupines, helping them stay active and engaged in their environment. Enrichment activities like these stimulate the animals’ natural behaviours, promote physical fitness, and encourage curiosity, helping them lead healthier, happier lives. During their walk, our porcupines even visited the nearby ring-tailed lemurs, who always love to check out their curious friends! Next time you are at Hamilton Zoo you might just catch a glimpse of this magic moment in action! These walks are not scheduled, so be sure to listen out for any announcements over the PA system.

Have you visited our adorable tiger cubs, Mayang and Andalas, yet? 🐯 As you can see in this video, they've grown quite a bit and are full of energy! These playful cubs love chasing their mum, Kirana, around and exploring their surroundings. Don't miss out on the chance to see them in action and witness their playful antics firsthand. Plan your visit to Hamilton Zoo today and make some unforgettable memories with our tiger whaanau!

At Hamilton Zoo, we're more than just a home for our resident animals—we're a lifeline for native wildlife in need. Our dedicated vet team works hard to provide expert care to injured wild animals, specializing in native species that require unique and highly skilled treatment. Supporting our local wildlife is crucial, and we’re proud to play a part in their recovery and return to the wild. Watch our latest video to see the incredible work being done behind the scenes and learn how we’re making a difference for the animals in our community. If you find a native animal that is injured, contact the Department of Conservation's emergency number 0800 362 468. They will tell you what to do next. If you're unsure whether an animal is native, still give DOC a call. Thank you for being a part of Conservation Week with us. Your support and awareness are vital in helping us protect and nurture the wildlife that makes our world so special. Remember that every action counts! How are you contributing to conservation efforts?

In recognition of Conservation Week 2nd - 8th September, we’re excited to share updates all this week showcasing our conservation efforts at Hamilton Zoo! We’re eager to show you how we contribute to wildlife protection and would love to hear how you’re making a difference too. At Hamilton Zoo, we're proud to play a vital role in conservation through the Breed for Release programme for New Zealand Kākā. By breeding these beautiful birds in the free-flight aviary, we help bolster their numbers in the wild, ensuring they can thrive despite threats like predators and pests. Curious to see how it’s done? Watch this video to learn more! And here’s what you can do to help: 🌿 Trap predators on your property: Introduced predators like rats, stoats, and possums pose a significant threat to native birds. Setting up predator traps on your property can help reduce their numbers and protect wildlife in your area. 🌿 Plant native flowering trees: Native trees provide essential food and habitat for New Zealand’s unique bird species. By planting locally native trees, you’re creating a natural haven that supports local wildlife year-round. 🌿 Hang water baths: Offering a clean water source in your garden can attract birds and help them stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months. Make sure to regularly clean and refill the water to prevent the spread of disease. 🌿 Leave areas of leaf litter around your garden: Leaf litter creates a microhabitat for insects and invertebrates, which are a crucial food source for many bird species. By allowing some parts of your garden to remain untidy, you’re helping to sustain a healthy ecosystem for native wildlife. Let’s work together to make a difference! Share your conservation efforts with us, and let’s inspire others to take action. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

Hamilton Zoo Silent Auction

🎉 Celebrate and fundraise with Hamilton Zoo for World Chimpanzee Day!🌍 To celebrate World Chimpanzee Day on 14th July, Hamilton Zoo is excited to host a silent auction and raffle to raise vital funds for the Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA) Africa Program – Musee Vivant Redevelopment Project. 🎟️ Raffle Extravaganza! 🎟️ Come to Hamilton Zoo on July 14th and enter our raffle! We have TWO incredible prizes waiting for you! Tickets are just $5 each or 5 for $20. The raffle kicks off at 9:30 am, with winners announced at 3 pm on the same day. 🖼️ Silent Auction 🖼️ You can bid online on stunning artworks donated by these amazing artists: Rachael Robinson Art Drawn To Nature Art for Wildlife by Sonja WildArt by Kelly Unofficial: Jenny Stringer's art room and Carrie Laithwaite (craftymorepork on instagram). The auction runs for a week, so get your bids in quick! View the auction here: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/120893/auctions/165832 🌟 Thanks to our generous supporters! - The Framing Workshop: For framing the artworks. Discover them at www.theframingworkshop.co.nz. - Emma Lewisham: Thank you for the luxurious skincare pack! - Rimu Gully: Grateful for the sustainable NZ-made products! Your participation helps protect and support these incredible creatures. Learn more and donate at janegoodall.org.au/burundi Jane Goodall Institute Australia Jane Goodall Institute NZ Chapter Video credit: Isobelle Harris

🔈 Volume on to hear Kirana chuffing to her cubs, Mayang and Andalas. Chuffing is a vocalisation that some cats use to communicate with each other, often showing their happiness or used as a friendly greeting 👋 The girls and mum are out on an almost daily basis now - playing, sleeping and eating outside. If they're not in plain sight, look closely for a glimpse of orange amongst the bamboo as this is one of their favourite spots 🧡 Come say hello this weekend, make sure to tag us in your photos and videos! Hamilton Zoo is open daily 9:30am - 4:30pm, last admission 3:30pm. 📹 Keeper Bailey

That mid-week feeling 🕺 Let us know what you would caption this video and be in to win! Keeper Nicky captured these smooth moves from one of our tortoise boys during 'bath-time' 📹 Leave your best caption idea in the comments and be in with a chance to win day passes to Hamilton Zoo! Terms & conditions: Winner may pick either 2x Adult Day Passes OR 1x Family Day Pass One entry to the draw, per caption comment. One winner will be drawn on Wednesday 10 April. The winner will be contacted via private message on the social media platform on which they entered. A new winner will be drawn if the winner cannot be reached within 72hrs. Only the person who originally entered the competition can be awarded the prize. Prize cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash.

Everybody's favourite Tiger twins are up to mischief! 🧡🐾 These cheeky cubs love playfighting at the moment - whether it's each other or mum, it doesn't matter, they even go after their own tails! Kirana certainly has got her paws full with these two 🐅 Visit this weekend and see them for yourself! Hamilton Zoo is open daily 9:30am - 4:30pm, last admission 3:30pm. 📹 Keeper Emma