Auckland City Council
Media release

Mayor invites all to celebrate Kashin’s life this Sunday

The Mayor of Auckland, the Hon. John Banks, is inviting Aucklanders to come into Auckland Zoo free of charge this Sunday 30 August to celebrate the life of the city’s much-loved elephant Kashin.  This special memorial day is being made possible thanks to the generous support of ASB.

“Everyone loved Kashin  She was a truly magnificent ambassador for everything good about the modern Auckland Zoo.  I remember her very well when she first arrived 36 years ago and saw her often throughout her life. As with everyone, she made me feel special.  Kashin will be sorely missed, and this free open day is a great way to honour her memory,” says John Banks.

ASB Bank was responsible for bringing Kashin to Auckland Zoo as a four-year-old from Thailand in 1972, and has been providing the zoo with funds to help cover the cost of her food. Given ASB’s close connection with Kashin, the Bank wants to support the zoo and the Auckland community so that entry to the zoo will be free of charge on this Kashin memorial day.

“Everyone who met Kashin will know that, equal to her love of food, she had an enormous love of people, especially children. So it is a fitting tribute to our special friend Kashin that everyone will now have the opportunity to visit the zoo and pay their respects to this gentle giant,” says ASB’s CEO, Charles Pink. 

“Kashin is very much part of the ASB family, and from the messages we have been receiving from our customers, this is a sentiment that I know is shared by the Auckland community.”

While the day is free to the public, Auckland Zoo director Jonathan Wilcken stresses that, due to the zoo’s size and its 6000-person capacity, there will have to be restrictions on the number of people that can be let into the zoo at any one time.

“We want as many Aucklanders as possible to come and share this special day with us – which is why we have extended our celebrations and activities out to the edge of Western Springs park. We would just ask in advance that if you are coming to the zoo on Sunday, that you be aware that there will likely be crowds, which will require patience on everyone’s part,” says Mr Wilcken.

The day will include the opportunity to visit Kashin’s final resting place, speeches, the opportunity to view videos about Kashin, and a wide range of entertainment and activities (outlined below).

As well as coming along on Sunday, Mayor John Banks is also encouraging Aucklanders to consider contributing to a fund that has been set up in Kashin’s memory to support the conservation of elephants in the wild.

People can donate to the Kashin Elephant Conservation Fund at the zoo via ASB Kashin moneyboxes throughout the zoo (cafes, shop, Info Centre, Cashiers), by donating at any ASB branch, or online (via Internet Banking) using the account number A/c 12-3205-0127076-00. All donations will be directed to elephant conservation.

Event details

Kashin memorial day Sunday 30 August – rain date Saturday 5 September
Public entry 9.30am – 5pm, Friends of the Zoo entry from 8.30am (early opening)
Free zoo entry for all attendees
The zoo expects large crowds and asks for patience
Overflow entertainment in Western Springs park adjacent to zoo
Memorial activities

Official speeches at the band rotunda at 1pm by Mayor John Banks and Councillor Graham Mulholland
Opportunity for the public to visit Kashin’s final resting place and pay their respects (please note this is the only time public will be able to access this area, which is not normally accessible to the public)
Opportunity for the public to leave messages on message boards and colour in photos of Kashin
View a photo display of Kashin’s life in the Old Elephant House
Watch a video of Kashin in the Old Elephant House
Purchase a commemorative poster of Kashin
Make a donation to the Kashin Elephant Conservation Fund in support of elephant conservation in the wild
Celebration activities

Freelance Animation School elephant pavement drawings, and colouring-in stations for children
ASB Kashin bouncy castle and ASB inflatable Kashin
Free elephant face painting
Roving entertainers
Live entertainment at the Band Rotunda
Overflow entertainment in Western Springs park adjacent to zoo
For more details visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/kashin

ENDS

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