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.

23/11/2025

Lucy turns 50!🎂🎉

Join us in celebrating one of Hamilton Zoo’s most iconic chimpanzees. Born in 1975, Lucy has been a devoted mother, grandmother, and a strong presence in our troop since arriving in 2004. Her story shows how zoos work together to care for endangered species like chimpanzees.

You can help protect chimps in the wild by choosing FSC-certified products: https://www.fsc.org.
Visit Lucy in the chimp habitat and celebrate this incredible milestone with us!

12/11/2025

🦒Kevin Has Arrived at Hamilton Zoo

We’re thrilled to welcome Kevin, our newest giraffe, who recently joined us from Orana Wildlife Park as part of a collaborative effort to support the long-term conservation of this majestic species.

Now that Kevin has joined us, we’re continuing work on our new Giraffe Barn, designed to enhance the daily lives of all giraffes in our care. These improvements create a space that encourages natural behaviours, comfort, and enrichment, aligned with best practices in husbandry and animal welfare.

Every detail - feeding systems, temperature control, a veterinary stall with mezzanine access, and bio floors - has been carefully considered to ensure our giraffes thrive in an environment that supports both their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Kevin’s move is more than a relocation; it’s part of a bigger story. We’re proud to contribute to the protection and understanding of giraffes through thoughtful care and collaboration.

06/11/2025

Ingozi is a total standout among our Cape porcupines! 🌟🦔

Her training includes regular walks with her keepers - not just for enrichment, but also to help her comfortably visit the vet when needed. As a rodent, her front teeth should grow continuously, but hers have stopped, leading to ongoing dental challenges.

In this video, she calmly walks to the vet clinic, stands for a jab to start anesthesia, and has her teeth examined. The results show her condition is slowly progressing, but they’ve given us valuable insights to continue working with Dr. Crystal Loh, a specialist veterinary dentist, on her treatment plan.

We’ll keep sharing updates on this remarkable spikey friend!

30/10/2025

It’s International Lemur Day!

Join Ashley as she shares why lemurs need our help more than ever. With 98% of lemur species endangered, including our ring-tailed lemurs and critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs, it’s time to take action.

One simple way? Look for the FSC logo when buying paper products like toilet paper and birthday cards - it helps protect lemur habitats from deforestation.

🎥 Tune in to hear Ashley’s insights and meet our lemurs up close.

28/10/2025

Bold and beautiful, the Tūī is one of Aotearoa’s most iconic native birds - and fiercely territorial. These vocal honeyeaters are known to chase away not only other Tūī but also larger species like the kākā, especially when defending prized flowering trees such as kōwhai.

As part of the honeyeater family, Tūī thrive on nectar, but their diet also includes fruit and the occasional insect. While feeding, they play a vital ecological role: pollinating native trees like pūriri, kōwhai, fuchsia, rewarewa, flax, rata, and pōhutukawa. Their foraging helps sustain the health and regeneration of New Zealand’s forests.

Next time you hear the melodic call of a Tūī or spot one darting through the treetops, take a moment to appreciate the powerful role this bird plays in keeping our native bush alive and blooming.

Halloween is creeping into Hamilton Zoo!Join us for a spooky-good time on Friday, October 31st (4PM–7:30PM) and all day ...
23/10/2025

Halloween is creeping into Hamilton Zoo!

Join us for a spooky-good time on Friday, October 31st (4PM–7:30PM) and all day Saturday!
Dress up in your best costume, Trick-or-Treat around the zoo, and play to win surprise goodies!

🦆Duck Duck Boo
🎃 Pumpkin Pitch
🦷Sweet Tooth Toss
👻🏓Boo Pong
🕷Spooky Spider Shuffle

It’s a frightfully fun event for the whole family!
𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘻𝘰𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴.

🎃👻 Spooktacular Halloween at Hamilton Zoo! 👻🎃 Get ready for a wild and spooky adventure! Join us on Friday, October 31st...
15/10/2025

🎃👻 Spooktacular Halloween at Hamilton Zoo! 👻🎃

Get ready for a wild and spooky adventure! Join us on Friday, October 31st from 4PM to 7:30PM, and all day Saturday, for a fang-tastic Halloween celebration at the zoo!

🦇 Come dressed in your best costume
🍬 Trick-or-Treat around the zoo
🎁 Surprise giveaways throughout the day
🏆 Enter our Halloween Competition running both days

Whether you're a creepy critter or a magical creature, there's something for everyone! Normal zoo admission applies. https://hamiltonzoo.co.nz/ticket-info
Don't miss out on the frightful fun - see you there! 🕷️🧙‍♀️

07/10/2025

🥜🧠 Capuchin monkeys thrive when they can express natural behaviours - like using tools to access food.

Whole nuts are more than just a snack; they’re a challenge. These clever primates search for the right object to crack open the shell, engaging their minds and bodies in the process.

Young capuchins often watch and learn from older individuals, building essential skills through observation and social learning. It’s enrichment that supports both wellbeing and development.

🦁 Happy International Zookeeper Day! 🐾Today we celebrate the heart and soul of Hamilton Zoo - our incredible zookeepers!...
03/10/2025

🦁 Happy International Zookeeper Day! 🐾

Today we celebrate the heart and soul of Hamilton Zoo - our incredible zookeepers! 💚

From early morning feedings to late-night check-ins, our keepers go above and beyond to care for every animal, big and small. Their dedication ensures not only the wellbeing of our wildlife, but also helps protect endangered species and inspire future generations of conservationists.

👣 Next time you visit, join one of our Keeper Talks to learn more about the amazing work they do!

Today, we join the global conservation community in mourning the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a visionary whose life’s w...
02/10/2025

Today, we join the global conservation community in mourning the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a visionary whose life’s work transformed our understanding of wildlife and inspired generations to protect it.

Her unwavering dedication to chimpanzees, her advocacy for environmental education, and her belief in the power of young people will continue to inspire and guide us.

At Hamilton Zoo, we honour her legacy through our commitment to conservation and education - especially through our School Holiday Programme, in partnership with Jane Goodall Institute NZ Chapter - Roots & Shoots. In this programme, tamariki learn to care for the natural world, take action for animals, people and the environment, just as Dr. Goodall taught us.

Her legacy lives on in every young mind we nurture, every action taken for the planet, and every story we share to inspire change.

🕊️ Thank you, Jane. We will carry your torch.

📸 Holiday Photo Competition! 🐾Capture your favourite zoo moment these school holidays and share it with us!How to enter:...
21/09/2025

📸 Holiday Photo Competition! 🐾
Capture your favourite zoo moment these school holidays and share it with us!
How to enter:

Snap a photo during your visit to Hamilton Zoo.
Post it to your Instagram and Facebook Stories and mention us while you’re here on holiday.

At the end of the holidays, we’ll choose our favourite photo. The winning shot will be featured on the big screen in our Gift Shop, and the winner gets to pick their own prize! 🎁
Ready, set… snap!

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

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