Achieving this accreditation solidifies Wellington Zoo’s position as a safe and welcoming environment for members and allies of Aotearoa’s Rainbow Community.

“This is a momentous occasion for our Zoo,” says Daniel Warsaw, Chief Operating Officer at Wellington Zoo, “As far as we’re aware, we’re the first zoo in the world to be accredited with a Rainbow Tick,”

“The Rainbow Tick is the culmination of honest reflection and hard mahi over the last year, and as with everything we do here at Wellington Zoo, we do it deliberately and with understanding. We are never tokenistic,”

The Rainbow Tick certification process tests whether a workplace understands and welcomes sexual and gender diversity. Wellington Zoo was evaluated on their LGBTTQIA+ inclusion in five areas: policies, staff training, staff engagement and support, external engagement, and monitoring.

“It’s important to say that the work does not stop here,” says Daniel, “Wellington Zoo will continue to work to be a beacon of diversity and inclusion for our staff and our community.”

As part of this commitment, to create a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the community, Wellington Zoo has recently approved the provision of two weeks paid leave for anyone transitioning.

“Me Tiaki, Kia Ora! Our kaupapa here at Wellington Zoo loosely translates to; ‘we must look after our environment, so that the living world will flourish’,” says Daniel, “Our people are just as much a part of this environment as our animals. If we look after our people, our living world will flourish.”