Hamilton Zoo

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.
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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.

02/06/2026

At Hamilton Zoo, our ponies are more than just favourites - they’re ambassadors for animal welfare. 🐴
This video shares how we care for their physical, emotional and behavioural needs, every single day.

Ready for round two? 🐦🌿Join us for the second birdwatching session of the year and sharpen your skills spotting native b...
26/05/2026

Ready for round two? 🐦🌿

Join us for the second birdwatching session of the year and sharpen your skills spotting native birds in the wild. Whether you're just starting out or already a keen observer, this 90-minute guided walk through Waiwhakareke is for you.

Come prepared with comfy walking shoes, dress for the weather, and don’t forget your hat and binoculars for the best experience!

Meet at the tower 9:00am

Colour, curiosity and character 🦜The Eclectus Parrot, Kea, and Salmon‑crested Cockatoo are just some of the remarkable p...
25/05/2026

Colour, curiosity and character 🦜

The Eclectus Parrot, Kea, and Salmon‑crested Cockatoo are just some of the remarkable parrots you can see at Hamilton Zoo.

Through high‑quality animal care, conservation awareness and education, Hamilton Zoo helps visitors learn about these species, the challenges they face, and why protecting wildlife and habitats matters.

24/05/2026

Big personalities. Thoughtful care.
Meet our porcupine and meerkats and discover how welfare shapes their daily lives.

14/05/2026

Being a zookeeper isn’t just a job - it’s a commitment. Every day is about care, connection, and conservation. Meet the people behind the animals 💚

This morning, following her daily welfare evaluation our veterinary and animal care teams made the difficult decision to...
13/05/2026

This morning, following her daily welfare evaluation our veterinary and animal care teams made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Lacy.

Her comfort and wellbeing have always been our top priorities. In recent days, our team noticed that her quality of life was declining rapidly. Today's welfare assessment clearly indicated it had reached a point where the kindest option was to let her go peacefully, preventing any further discomfort or distress.

Lacy was a much‑loved member of our farmyard, known for her gentle nature and the quiet bonds she formed with both her herd and the team who cared for her each day. She will be deeply missed.

We’re grateful for the time we had with Lacy and for the dedicated care from our teams who ensured she was supported every step of the way.

Today we celebrate an extraordinary milestone: Sir David Attenborough turns 100. For generations, Sir David has helped u...
07/05/2026

Today we celebrate an extraordinary milestone: Sir David Attenborough turns 100.

For generations, Sir David has helped us see the natural world with wonder, humility and responsibility. Through his storytelling, he has given a voice to wildlife, shone a light on fragile ecosystems, and inspired millions to care deeply about the future of our planet.
At Hamilton Zoo, his legacy resonates strongly with everything we do - from protecting threatened species, to connecting people with nature, and encouraging action for conservation.

As Sir David himself has shown us, what we protect, we first need to understand - and what we understand, we are far more likely to care for.
Thank you, Sir David, for a lifetime of curiosity, compassion and unwavering advocacy for the natural world.

Your work continues to inspire hope - and action - for generations to come.
💚🌍

07/05/2026

Hands, hearts, and paws 💙

To celebrate 𝗡𝗭 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we’re spotlighting our amazing Zoo Keeper Caitlin. For the past 18 months, Caitlin has been learning 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 so she can better connect with and support our visitors.

She’s also a fantastic keeper who works with animals of all abilities - including 𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗸𝗮𝘁 - showing that care and communication come in many forms.

Because at Hamilton Zoo, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

06/05/2026

Ever wondered what makes cotton‑top tamarins so special? 🐒
Hear directly from our zookeeper as they introduce these lively primates, share what it’s like to care for them, and explain how zoos play a vital role in conserving this endangered species.

At Hamilton Zoo, every animal receives health care tailored to their individual needs – including our much‑loved farmyar...
01/05/2026

At Hamilton Zoo, every animal receives health care tailored to their individual needs – including our much‑loved farmyard animals.

Meet Lacy, a 9‑year‑old Nubian goat who has been under the close watch of our animal care and veterinary teams. Lacy lives with multiple age‑related health conditions, including hyperthyroidism, which has been managed with daily medication, and chronic, progressive arthritis in both hips.

Despite ongoing treatment, careful environmental management, and pain‑relief therapies, Lacy’s arthritis has recently begun to decline more quickly, particularly with the onset of colder weather. She is finding movement increasingly difficult, and her overall comfort has become more challenging to maintain.

At this stage, our veterinary and animal care teams have exhausted the available options to keep Lacy comfortable. We are now closely monitoring her quality of life and may soon need to make the difficult decision to let her go, guided by compassion and what is kindest for her wellbeing.

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

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