If you love animals and their conservation, then the Zoos or Wildlife Parks of the North Island of New Zealand may just be the thing you need. The following zoos not only have animals from around the world but showcase the wildlife only found in New Zealand, especially the elusive Kiwi.
This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use these links. It doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps me maintain this site. Thank you.
If you are travelling around New Zealand, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
Need a Car?
If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars, Expedia or RentalCars.
Need Accommodation?
Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.
Subscribe to my blog and keep up-to-date as I provide more information on my experiences travelling.
All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.
Do you want to contact me for more information on this blog or another? You can by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
21 Wildlife Parks and Zoos in the North Island I have Visited
I have visited the following Zoos and Wildlife Parks, and I love them.
Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo is my hometown zoo and I have visited this zoo throughout my childhood.
Opened on 17 December 1922, it is now home to more than 1400 animals and 135 species, plenty to keep you occupied all day, as well as Keeper Talks.
It has had many changes, with cages slowly being replaced by areas where animals can stretch out and roam.
Aviaries are also here now, where you can walk through meeting local birds at head height. The nocturnal Kiwi House is also a favourite with everyone, and you can nearly always see them up against the glass searching for grubs.
This is a large zoo with animals from around the world. They also have an important conservation programme running for not only these international animals but locals as well.
Endangered birds and insects from New Zealand have been bred here at the zoo, with both being established on predator-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf.
Maybe one day, these animals can be on the mainland as New Zealand’s dream to become predator-free (eradicate introduced mammals) by 2050 becomes a reality.
You can find a link to the zoo map and keeper talks here to help you plan your day.
How To Get There
You can drive with two large free car parks on Motions Road, or catch the bus, with stop 8124 on Great North Road a short walk away.
A tram from MOTAT connects both attractions passing by the wetland reserve, Western Springs.
This is also one of the stops for the hop-on hop-off explorer bus.
Hours
9.30 am – 5.30 pm daily except Christmas Day.
The last entry is at 4.30 pm.
Prices
Click here to find prices and book.
Sea Life Kelly Tarleton’s
Opened in 1985, SeaLife Kelly Tarleton’s, was originally conceived by Kelly Tarleton, a marine archaeologist and diver.
Although it was sold in 2011 to Merlin Entertainments, it hasn’t changed much, keeping the spirit of Kelly Tarleton in its depths. It now has over 1500 marine animals and over 50 species.
SeaLifeKelly Tarleton’s, lets you come face to face with sharks in its Shark Tunnel. Walk beside and under these sharks, through a transparent acrylic tunnel around this underwater wonderland.
You can also visit the King and Gentoo Penguins or the many exhibits here on Antarctic life including Scott’s Hutt from Antarctica.
Kids won’t be disappointed either, with play and educational areas.
Feed and talk times can be found here.
How To Get There
If you drive, it’s only 6km from downtown Auckland having a large free car park on Tamaki Drive. Alternatively, you can catch a bus, the TamakiLink, which runs every 15 minutes 7 days a week from Britomart Bus Station.
This is also one of the stops for the hop-on hop-off explorer bus.
Hours
Daily 9.30 am – 5 pm with the last entry at 4 pm
Prices
Prices and bookings can be made here.
Hamilton Zoo
Just an hour and a half south of Auckland, Hamilton Zoo is another great place for the kids.
This zoo has had its ups and downs in the past 50 years it’s been operational, but under the Hamilton City Council, it has become a place of important animal conservation.
I was there on a rainy weekday and to my surprise, I had the whole place to myself.
At only 25 hectares, it still packs a punch with mammals, reptiles and aviaries to walk through to see the bird life.
Inside the Chimpanzee enclosure, you can see them up close with only glass separating you.
You can find a link to the zoo map here. Keeper talks are unscheduled but may pop up, so be aware while you’re there.
How To Get Here
Hamilton Zoo is located just out of Hamilton at 183 Brymer Road. Driving will be the easiest way to get here with a large car park in front of the entrance.
Alternatively, you can catch the Dinsdale number 3 bus.
Hours
9.30 am – 4.30 pm daily with the last entry at 3.30 pm
Prices
For prices and to book, click here.
Kiwi House Otorohanga
The Kiwi House at Otorohanga is a great place to see New Zealand’s native wildlife up close.
The keepers talk about the Kiwi, Kea, Kaka, Kakariki and Eels throughout the day. It’s a small park to walk around, but you can see endangered New Zealand wildlife and walk through a large aviary with birds flying freely. The Kiwi House at Otorohanga is a great place for kids to see and learn all about our local wildlife.
You can find the Keeper Talks here and a map of the zoo here.
How To Get There
The Kiwi House is in the small town of Otorohanga at 20 Alex Telfer Drive. The best way of getting there is by car.
Hours
Daily 9 am – 5 pm (last admission 4.15 pm)
Closed Christmas Day.
Prices
- Adult $26
- Child (5-15 years inclusive accompanied by an adult) $10
- Pre-schoolers (under 5 years accompanied by an adult) Free
- Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) $65
Agrodome
The Agrodome is the place to visit to give you great insight into New Zealand farming.
Dog shows and shearing the sheep, are all part of the experience.
You have two options, the Farm Show, Farm Tour or combine them both.
In the Farm Show, you will learn about the 19 breeds of sheep in New Zealand, see them being shorn and herded by the farm dogs and have a chance to feed the lambs or milk a cow.
In the Farm Tour, you are guided around this 350-acre farm. Learn about farming life in New Zealand, feed the farm animals and have photos taken with them.
Both tours are an hour each or you can combine them.
How To Get There
If you’re in a car, it’s just a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre, at 141 Western Road, Ngongotaha.
If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus. Get on the Number 1 CityRide bus; hourly departures from the Rotorua iSite directly into Agrodome. For full details, refer to the Rotorua Bay Bus information page.
Hours
9 am – 5 pm Daily
- Farm Show times are 9.30 pm, 11.00 am and 2.30 pm
- Farm Tour times are 10.40 am, 12.10 pm, 1.30 pm and 3.40 pm
PRICES
For prices and booking, click here.
The National Kiwi Hatchery
The National Kiwi Hatchery is the place, to learn all about the Kiwi bird.
All ticket proceeds, go into making sure these birds thrive in the future through their breeding and conservation program.
You have the choice for your visit, of the National Kiwi Hatchery Experience or Behind the Scene Exclusive tours. Click on the links to find more information about these extras.
How To Get There
Now located at the Agrodome at 141 Western Road, Ngongotaha.
Hours
Monday-Friday:
Tours run from 9.30 am – until 2 pm.
Book online to reserve your space.
Weekends, School Holidays and Public Holidays:
Tours run from 9:30 am – until 2 pm.
Book online to reserve your space.
Prices
For prices or to book click here.
Paradise Valley Springs Rotorua
Paradise Valley Springs is only a 10-15 minute drive from Rotorua.
Here you will come face to face with everything from native and introduced wildlife to trout to African Lions.
You can walk amongst the native bush and rainforest on the Treetops Walkway. Catch a glimpse of the wild native birds that frequent the walkway. Feeding troughs along the way attracts the birds so you see them better and take fantastic photos.
Lion feeding is every day at 2.30 pm. This is the best time to take photos as they are so active.
How To Get There
Paradise Valley Springs is located at 467 Paradise Valley Road and by car is the best way to find it as it’s only 10-15 minutes from the city centre.
Hours
365 days a year from 8.00 am until dark. Last entry 5.00 pm.
Lion feeding is at 2.30 pm daily.
Kea and Possom feeding is at 3 pm daily.
Prices
- Adult: $38.00
- Child: $19.00
(5-15 years inclusive) - Child: Free
(4 years and under) - Family Pass: $104.50
(2 adults & 2 children aged 5-15 years)
Additional Children with Family Pass: $9.50 each
The National Aquarium of New Zealand Napier
On the waterfront, the National Aquarium of New Zealand sits proudly just down from the Spirit of Napier.
Opened in 1976 in its present location, it welcomed 230,082 visitors in its first year, and I may have been one of them.
Housing aquatic life not only in New Zealand but around the world, you walk through rooms with pools and tanks showing fish up close that we don’t see in everyday life like the Piranha.
Reptiles such as American Alligators, Tortoises and Tuatara share the space with Kiwi, tropical fish, penguins and sharks.
Like Kelly Tarlton’s, a tunnel takes you on an underwater adventure where the water is above and beside you. You can see sharks, stingrays, and other marine life, gliding over the dome. It’s a great view, especially of the stingrays, as you can see their smiling faces.
To take part in guided tours, click here. School holiday program information can be found here.
The National Aquarium is a great place for all ages of your family.
Keeper Talks are at 10 am for Reef Fish Feeding, 9.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm for Little Penguins Feeding and 2 pm for Oceanarium Diver Hand Feeding.
How To Get There
Located on the southern end of the Marine Parade, you can either drive or walk from the city centre.
Hours
Daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (including public holidays). Last entry 4:30 pm.
Closed Christmas Day.
Prices
For prices, booking and animal feeding times, please click here.
Brooklands Zoo Pukekura Park New Plymouth
Broadlands Zoo is very small. As it is a U-shape, you can stand on one side and look across to the other.
Birds, farmyard animals, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals like Meerkats, Otter, Monkeys, Red-rumped Agouti and Capybara call this place home.
Zookeepers give talks twice a day on weekends and during school holidays.
It’s a delightful little zoo that will keep the kids entertained for hours with the antics of the otters and monkeys.
How To Get Here
The Brooklands Zoo is located inside the Pukekura Parklands at 30 Brooklands Park Drive.
Hours
9.30 am – 4 pm Daily. Check their website for any changes.
Prices
Free.
Pukaha National Wildlife Centre Mount Bruce
If you come into Wellington via Masterton, you should stop at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.
If you want to see native New Zealand birds and lizards, this is the place for you. With an interactive history of the area and a café, there is plenty to see and do, as well as walking through the many tracks in the parkland. You can see New Zealand birds HiHi (Stitchbird), Kaka, Tui, Kakariki, Takahe and Kiwi. Geckos and Tuatara also call this place home.
Opened in 1962 for conservation, it didn’t open its doors to the public until 1982. In 2001, the grounds were extended, from 55 to 942 hectares giving you plenty of walking tracks.
Manukura, the white Kiwi, lives here. Not an albino, she has a recessive gene making her white instead of the usual brown colouring. There is also a Redwood forest growing here.
There is also the only Kokako in captivity. Kahurangi, the Kokako, has been hand-reared and is so used to humans that she thinks she is one.
This is also where you can see the endangered Takahe walking around. They were once thought extinct until discovered in Fiordland on the South Island.
The Kaka and Eels have public feedings daily, where you can get up close with these locals. You can spend 3-5 hours here seeing the animals and walking the tracks and it is an excellent stop on your drive down to Wellington.
How To Get There
On State Highway 2, driving is the only option with this attraction. It’s 30 km north of Masterton, an hour south of Palmerston North, 10km south of Eketahuna and 2 hours northeast of Wellington.
Hours
| Summer Hours | Winter Hours |
| 9:00 am – 6:00 pm During daylight savings Last Sunday in September – first Sunday in April | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm First Sunday in April – last Sunday in September |
Our café closes at 5 pm in Summer and 4 pm in Winter.
Prices
- Adults – $24.00
- Students/Concessions – $20.50
- 5-14 years – $9.00
- Under 5 – FREE
- Family pass – $55.00
(Up to six people, with a maximum of two adults)
Click here for tour prices and booking.
Wellington Zoo
Nothing beats a day at the zoo, and the Wellington Zoo is no exception.
Even though it’s over 100 years old, improvements are continuously made, with the animals’ well-being their top priority.
Want to have an encounter with your favourite animal? For an extra cost you can, but be warned that they do book out early, so be quick. You can find more information about Close Encounters and Behind the Scenes Experience by clicking the links. You can also find the Talk Times and availability of Close Encounters and Behind the Scenes here.
Talks and feeding times happen throughout the day, where you learn more about the animals, and have a better chance of seeing them as they could be hiding in the large enclosures. You can find the times and a map of the zoo here.
How To Get There
Located in the Wellington suburb of Newtown, the zoo is easy to get to.
You can always drive as it’s less than a 10-minute drive from the city, although the car park fills up quickly.
Catching the bus is an easy option. The number 23 bus stops right outside the Zoo with a service running every hour every day of the week. You can find more information here.
Hours
9.30 am – 5 pm except for Christmas Day
Prices
- Adult $24
- Child $14
- Under 3 Free
- Concession $20
For more information, check out their website here.
Zealandia Wellington
If you want to see some New Zealand birdlife, Zealandia is the place for you. This 500+ acre area has been fenced off from pests helping to protect the wildlife that lives here.
There are many ways to see and do this world-first ecological parkland, from wandering around to doing day and night tours. You can find the link to the tours, here.
With many tracks to explore, you could easily spend all day trying to find New Zealand’s wildlife, including Tuatara, Takahe and many more bird species, including Kiwi, on the night tour in their natural habitat.
How To Get There
Zealandia is located at 53 Waiapu Road, Karori, driving is always an option, although there isn’t a large car park. They do have 10 electric car charging stations that you can use to recharge your vehicle. Additional car parks are 500m away at the Birdwood Road car park.
The easiest way is by free shuttle from either the City iSite, at 111 Wakefield Street, or the top of the Cable Car. You can check the times here.
Another option is by bus with only a 2-minute walk from the bus stop. You can find timetables here.
Hours
Daily 9 am -5 pm except for Christmas Day. The last entry is at 4 pm.
Prices
For all prices, including tour prices, please click here.
Booking.comWildlife Parks and Zoos I Haven’t Visited on the North Island
I haven’t visited the following Zoos and Wildlife Parks, but I want to.
The Parrot Place KeriKeri
The Parrot Place Kerikeri is at 1 Mission Road Kerikeri.
It has over 300 birds from around the world, and extensive subtropical gardens to explore.
Walk the grounds, feed the birds and have them land on you to say hello.
Wildlife Sanctuary Whangarei
Wildlife Sanctuary Whangarei is a sanctuary for big cats.
There are mainly Lions here, but also a black Panther and two Bengal Tigers. Of course, feeding times are when they are most active, but you can also do guided tours.
It’s located at 124 Gray Road Kamo.
Ti Point Reptile Park Leigh
Ti Point Reptile Park Leigh is the only reptile park in New Zealand.
They have a diverse collection of Reptiles, including American alligators, Turtles and Tortoises, Tarantula Spiders, Green iguanas, Tuatara and many more.
They are located at 27 Ti Point Road Leigh.
Butterfly Creek, Auckland Airport
There is no excuse for me not to have visited Butterfly Creek at Auckland Airport, other than I forgot.
You know how it is at the end of your holiday, and you’re taking the hire car back, and all you think of is the airport routine coming up.
All I can say is make sure you allow time before you fly out of Auckland to check out this park, especially if you love Butterflies and if you haven’t seen a Kiwi yet.
There are also bugs, reptiles, an aquarium, farm animals, Meerkats, monkeys, Otters, Crocodiles and even Porcupines.
Whiti Farm Park Kaimarama
Whiti Farm Park at 2414 Tairua Whitianga Road Kaimarama, is an eccentric, fun place for the kids.
Covering 8 acres, you can explore the farm and animals at your leisure and even bring a picnic lunch.
Birds, reptiles and exotic animals mix with the farm animals, which you can also feed.
Lilliput Farm Taupo
Lilliput Farm – Fun and Animal Park at 136 Link Road Taupo, is another interactive farm for the kids to enjoy.
Buy some food, and get to know the locals that call this park home.
Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Palmerston North
Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery is at 20 Victoria Esplanade Drive, Palmerston North. The Wildbase Hospital is part of Massey University, and it’s here you can learn about the recovery of endangered native wildlife that is bought into care here.
Take the time to look at the animals recovering in the hospital before they are released to their homes around the country.
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve Waikanae
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is at 74 Nga Manu Reserve Road, Waikanae.
This 14-hectare reserve has free guided walks and an Eel feeding talk. You may also want to tag along with the knowledgeable staff at feeding time. Although you pay for this, you have the opportunity to get up close and have photos taken with the birds and lizards you visit.
Thursday to Sunday at dusk, you may join in on a paid guided walk to see Kiwis walking about.
Staglands Wildlife Reserve Upper Hutt
Staglands Wildlife Reserve is at 2362 Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt.
Another great park where you can get up close again to nature by getting some food for the animals or joining the free Lunch Feed tour and Tractor Trailer Rides.
The wildlife reserve covers 25 acres of bush, farmland and wetlands for the resident birds, trout, eel, deer and farm animals.
Conclusion
These Zoos and Wildlife Parks on the North Island are great for kids, especially the farms and reserves. It’s a chance for everyone of all ages to learn about the animals we share this world with and how to help ensure their survival.
I hope you see the Kiwi (the feathered kind), while in New Zealand. Whether you see them in one of these Zoos and Wildlife Parks or even better in the wild on the North Island, I hope it will make your experience in New Zealand even more fantastic.
All of these Zoos and Wildlife Parks on the North Island are advocates for the conservation of animals and are part of a worldwide breeding program for endangered animals.
Have You Found this blog helpful? Then why not buy me a coffee?
Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.
Travel Resources
- Flights & Accommodation – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
- Car Hire – Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe – Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and train travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured during your travels.
- Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
- Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
- Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
If you want more tips, try my Travel Links and Resource page.
Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
I lived in Wellington for a couple of years, so I love Zealandia and Welly Zoo. Welly Zoo is so easy to get to as well isn’t it, I lived in Newtown for a short while and I could hear the lions roaring from my house 🙂
It is so easy to get to. I stayed in the YHA and walked to the zoo. I remember being on the lookout of the Lion enclosure and having the male lion roar in the tunnel part below me. The sound of his roar went right through my body, literally. You were so lucky to live so close.
Such a fun list of places to visit. I think I’m more interested in seeing some of New Zealand’s native wildlife so good to know there are places to do that.
Yes, there is, Emma, and Zealandia is definitely the place for you. You could spend all day here, wandering around the trails and seeing true wildlife, as they are free to come and go as they please.
These are such lovely suggestions. I would love to visit the Wellington Zoo.
Thanks, Anaukrati Dosi, I hope that you get to New Zealand one day.