The 10 Best Zoos & Aquariums in North Island, New Zealand

Pukekura Park covers 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki and is one of New Zealand's premier botanical gardens. The park has an international Green Flag award and is a Garden of National Significance. With a diverse range of landscapes, the park features bush walks, formal gardens, lakes, children's play areas, a sports area and a Tea House. The park includes the Fernery and Display Houses as well as the adjacent garden estate area of Brooklands, home to the acclaimed TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Zoo. As a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, Pukekura Park lights up over the summer as the backdrop for the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights. The park is free to enter and can be accessed from various streets including Liardet Street, Brooklands Road, Fillis Street, Rogan Street, Kaimata Street and List Street.

Alpaca Farm Experience - Bookings essential. Enjoy a short walk through beautiful, lush, green typical New Zealand bush to come out into a paddock with friendly alpacas. Hand feed these amazing animals and hear all about their breeding cycle and their beautiful soft fleeces. See and touch some of last year's fleeces exactly as they were shorn from the animal. See how a fleece looks and feels after it has been washed and carded. Finally, see a scarf that has been made by felting this luxurious fibre onto pure silk fabric. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about these gentle animals with their huge eyes and long eyelashes. For those of you interested in vintage cars, you can see a 1922 Stanley Steamer. Details are on our website. We also offer self-contained accommodation at one end of our eco friendly home so you can spend as much time as you like with these unique animals.

Cantharis Alpacas is one of the larger alpaca farms in the lower North Island being located on the majestic Kapiti Coast, just 40 kms North of Wellington. We are open for pre-arranged farm visits and walks, please check our website for more information and opening times.

Auckland Zoo is home to the largest collection of native and exotic animals in New Zealand, set in 17 hectares of lush parkland and just minutes from central Auckland. Auckland Zoo is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9.30am.

Wellington Zoo is New Zealand’s first Zoo, and Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation, caring for animals since 1906. The Zoo is a not for profit charitable trust and we're proud to be the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo. We are guided by our kaupapa Me Tiaki, Kia Ora! We must look after our environment, so all things will flourish. It is up to us collectively to make a difference for animals and the wild places they call home. See our website for entry prices and to plan your visit. If you have accessibility needs, you can find more visitor information on our website.

The North Island's largest Zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals and set amidst 25ha of lush and tranquil surroundings

Brooklands Zoo is a FREE, family focused zoo which is home to a variety of farmyard animals, amphibians, reptiles, oriental small-clawed otters, meerkats, a brolga, Bolivian squirrel monkeys and both capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys, as well as a selection of exotic parrots housed inside a walk-through free-flight aviary.