The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari Enters Second Year

The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari Enters Second Year

In-store fundraising at The Warehouse to enable children from local low decile schools to visit Wellington Zoo through The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari begins in stores throughout Wellington and Tasman on 27 September. With over $25,000 raised in 2013, The Warehouse and Wellington Zoo are hoping to raise more money this year to help send even more kids to the Zoo.

The first year of The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari has been wildly successful with more than 1,700 students from 16 low-decile schools in the Wellington region visiting the Zoo for a special, conservation-based learning experience.

The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari enables students from local low-decile schools to visit Wellington Zoo for a hands-on, nature-based learning experience. NZ Bus supports the project providing discounted transport for the schools to get to the Zoo. All transport and learning costs are covered by The Warehouse Wellington Zoofari.

In 2014, fundraising will be extended to the Tasman region to enable low-decile students from the Upper South Island to experience learning at Wellington Zoo, and participate in a special Zoofari Sleepover.

Amy Hughes, Wellington Zoo’s General Manager Community Engagement, says “The Warehouse partnership is a wonderful project. It has been wonderful to see so many local kids coming in – and for many of the students it is their first time visiting the Zoo. You can spot the excitement and wonder on the faces of the students participating in a Zoofari session as soon as they walk through the doors. ”

"Both The Warehouse and NZ Bus have been enthusiastic supporters of the project. It’s exciting to be working with organisations that share our community focus,” said Ms Hughes.

Nearly 12,000 students visited Wellington Zoo in the past year to participate in Ministry of Education Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programmes.

About Wellington Zoo
Wellington Zoo is New Zealand's first Zoo, established in 1906, and is Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation. Home to over 500 native and exotic animals, Wellington Zoo became a charitable trust in 2003.

Wellington Zoo became the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo in May 2013.

Wellington Zoo is an accredited member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

ENDS

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