Here is a handy list of frequently asked questions about education visits to Auckland Zoo.
For further information not on this page, read our Zoo RAMS, and terms and conditions of entry.
Visits that include an education session must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance.
Self-guided visits must be booked at least 5 working days in advance.
This is so the Education team can work with you to ensure you have the best possible visit as well as following best practice health and safety protocols.
Ratio of adult to students
If these minimum supervision requirements are not met your group will not be able to enter Auckland Zoo.
Only Y11 – 13 students. Although we do recommend these students have a way of contacting teachers while in the Zoo grounds, in case of emergency.
All students in school years 0 – 10 must always be actively supervised. Active supervision requires them to be with a supervising adult throughout the visit. The supervising adult must be aged 18 years and over.
Supervisors must be responsible adults aged 18 years and over. We recommend that supervising adults do not bring along toddlers and babies so they can focus on their role as a supervisor.
Early childhood visits with an education session included:
1 free of charge teacher or supervising adult for every 3 paying students.
Additional adults are $19 each.
Early childhood self-guided visits:
All adults (including teachers and supervising adults) are $19 each.
All children 5 years and under are free of charge.
All Primary, Intermediate and Secondary visits:
1 free of charge teacher or supervising adult for every 6 paying students.
Additional adults are $19 each.
Special education needs are eligible for further discounts. Please contact the Education team for more info.
We invoice your school or centre after the visit, as this allows us to process payment based on actual attendance on the day. In our experience numbers do fluctuate.
All education visits are already generously discounted thanks to our LEOTC contract with the Ministry of Education.
We do offer a sponsored programme for Years 3-6 students in decile 1 – 3 primary schools. Click here to find out more about Zoofari.
Please be aware that only MOE approved ECE facilities/groups are entitled to education discounts.
Annual Pass memberships and other discount vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with already discounted education visits.
All education sessions last approximately an hour. Your time is your own before and after the time booked for the education session. Please consult the timetable the Zoo educator will have sent the coordinating teacher for specific details.
Our Teacher Guide to the Zoo and Adult Supervisor Guide to the Zoo are also useful resources available to make the most of your visit.
There is a minimum charge for education sessions with less than 10 students. Visit the relevant age group page on our website for more detail.
Booking transport to and from the Zoo is solely the school’s responsibility. The only exception is if you are booked in for a Zoofari.
Yes, you can! We recommend it as part of planning your Zoo visit. Please contact the Education team for more info.
Please note that children cannot attend a pre-visit as this is a professional appointment.
Yes, we do! You can find it here. This document is designed to support you in planning your visit. We do not need a copy of this information.
The decision to postpone due to rain is yours to make. Please make the decision to postpone as early as possible. Ask the coordinating teacher to contact the Education team on 09 360 3817. Before 8:00am is best.
If you decide to proceed in the rain it is important to note we are an outdoor venue and there are limited spaces for shelter in wet weather. Most of our education sessions take place outdoors. We recommend all students bring raincoats and appropriate footwear.
On rare occasions the Education team may contact you if severe weather is forecast.
Gates open at 9.30am. Most schools and centres arrive for 9.30am and depart at 2.00pm.
Last entry is 4:15pm. Summer closing is 5:30pm. Winter closing is 5:00pm.
The Zoo is open to the public and many groups visit in a day and so we are not able hold spaces for you.
Auckland Zoo is a large venue. Therefore, we ask students and teachers to keep their bags with them at all times. Bag pooling may be an option for you to consider. We do have limited storage for large items. Please contact the Education team for more info.
We suggest a pre-visit to Auckland Zoo to familiarise yourself with the Zoo grounds and facilities. Click here for a Zoo map.
We have several cafés on site. Student access to these is at your discretion. To assist café staff and other visitors we ask that you do not go into the cafés in one large group.
Most schools bring their own lunches. We do have onsite caterers for the odd special occasion. Please get in touch here to make an enquiry.
Please book this through our Information Centre prior to your visit. Get in touch.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, please listen to public address announcements and follow the instructions of Zoo staff and volunteers.
For health and safety reasons you cannot feed or touch any of the animals at the Zoo, including free range birds.
Yes. Please no balls, balloons, speakers, whistles, scooters, skateboards and any other sports equipment.
Auckland Zoo is a smoke free zone. This includes vaping and e-cigarettes.
