Auckland Zoo shows New Zealand the love

Auckland Zoo and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are launching Auckland’s Conservation Week celebrations at the Zoo on Sunday, 12 September with a family fun day from 11am to 2pm.

The Zoo has joined forces with DOC and TVNZ 6, co-producers of Meet the Locals, to give you the chance to meet some special local wildlife, and participate in lots of other fun activities.

Auckland Conservator Sean Goddard says DOC is thrilled to be launching Auckland’s Conservation Week celebrations at Auckland Zoo.

“It’s a great place for visitors to learn about conservation efforts to save New Zealand’s precious native wildlife. We hope that this event will encourage Aucklanders to get out and show how much they love New Zealand, and Conservation Week certainly offers plenty of opportunities to get involved,” says Mr Goddard.

On the day, experience some of New Zealand’s wonderful animal life at the Zoo’s NZ Fauna encounters – at the band rotunda and the Grasslands theatre – giving you the chance to see kiwi, tuatara, and other New Zealand wildlife up close.

In a specially set-up marquee, you can get a sneak preview of TVNZ6 Meet the Locals Conservation Week special, and meet new presenter Dr James Reardon. There will also be the opportunity to chat to zoo keepers and DOC rangers.

Conservation Week is also the last chance to add your personal message for the International Year of Biodiversity to a giant kakapo model - telling the world why biodiversity matters to you, before the messages are flown to Japan for next month’s Convention on Biological Diversity.

In addition, you can view art done by schoolchildren from Great Barrier Island and see a photo display from the students of Newton Central School.

“New Zealand has some incredible natural flora and fauna, which can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Conservation Week is a great time for New Zealanders to appreciate our natural treasures and learn how we can protect them,” says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken.

As well as the launch event, there will be a range of activities at the Zoo during Conservation Week. On Tuesday, 14 September at 7pm, come along to a free talk starring international frog experts who will be speaking about the global amphibian crisis, and New Zealand and overseas frog conservation projects.

On Wednesday, 15 and Thursday, 16 September come and get your hands dirty by planting a seedling, and learn about some simple things that you can do at home to see more of New Zealand’s unique species.

Or, if Kiwi comedy is more your thing, come along and catch the likes of Dai Henwood, Jeremy Corbett and Paul Ego perform stand-up at the Zoo’s Old Elephant House on Wednesday, 22 and Friday, 24 September, in support of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi’s kokako conservation work.

Normal Zoo admission prices apply for the day events. For more information about all Auckland Zoo and DOC Conservation Week activities, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz and www.conservationweek.org.nz

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