Media Release
29 August 2012

Wellington Zoo and Trade Me combine forces

Two local Wellington success stories have officially joined forces, with online marketplace Trade Me signing on as a sponsor of the Wellington Zoo Trust.

Trade Me is the official sponsor of The Twilight Te Ao Māhina (the Zoo’s home for Kiwi and Tuatara) and the Zoo’s emerging work around the advocacy and protection of Kiwi. It also includes reciprocal staff tours and visits, and joint efforts to promote several cool auctions and initiatives the Zoo team has planned in 2012 and beyond.

Wellington Zoo Fundraising Manager Ryan Hambleton said the Zoo had been working with Trade Me since 2010. “We’re both proud Wellington organisations with a strong focus on our respective communities of members and visitors. The support we get from Trade Me allows the Zoo to connect more people with nature by providing better services and facilities for our animals, visitors, and staff.”

He said The Twilight Te Ao Māhina is a “special” place with its focus on native New Zealand animals. “Our visitors are able to make a personal connection with these native animal wonders. These valuable connections are helping our visitors learn about conservation in their own backyard.”

The new agreement will see the two organisations working closer than ever before.

“Thanks to Trade Me’s support, we’ve found new ways to raise awareness and funds for the Zoo through unique auctions,” Hambleton said. “These give our community the chance to name our new arrivals and take part in Close Encounters with several of our wonderful animals, and it all helps raise profile and money for the great work being done to help native wildlife at the Zoo.”

The latest Meet and name our marvellous Meerkats auction gave one lucky winner the chance to bring three friends along to meet and name four Meerkats as the Zoo launched its new Close Encounters experiences. The Meerkat naming rights sold for $610, and the winning bidder named the Meerkats Runako, Hanna, Edda and Sid.

Paul Ford, Trade Me’s head of community, said Wellington Zoo was a great fit for Trade Me. “Wellington Zoo understand how we tick, and more importantly they understand that engaging with Trade Me’s massive online community can help raise the profile of the great work that they are doing in Newtown and beyond. The Zoo is a fantastic organisation for us to work alongside and we’re looking forward to creating a little bit of magic together.”

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