Volunteering at Wellington Zoo
Wellington Zoo is lucky to have amazing volunteers who do so much to help the Zoo.
To join our team of volunteers, you'll need to be:
- A team player and reliable
- Able to provide a commitment of at least 4 hours per fortnight for a minimum of one year
- At least 18 years of age.
We have three types of Volunteers at Wellington Zoo: Visitor Ranger Volunteers, Animal Care Volunteers and The Nest Te Kōhanga Volunteers.
We do not currently offer a Corporate Volunteer programme.
Please note: we open applications for new volunteers in March and August each year.
Visitor Ranger Volunteers
Visitor Ranger Volunteers support the Zoo by connecting people with animals and building love and support for the Zoo. You'd be out and about in the Zoo engaging with our visitors and welcoming them to our wild party. Visitor Ranger Volunteers provide visitors with animal information, answer questions, provide directions and support Zoo events and activities. Visitor Ranger Volunteers also help us to showcase the Zoo’s conservation and sustainability initiatives. As a Visitor Ranger Volunteer, you'd need to be personable, out-going, reasonably fit, and love spending time engaging with visitors
Animal Care Volunteers
Animal Care Volunteers provide support to our Animal Science and Animal Care teams. As an Animal Care Volunteer, you'd need to be reliable, have a good level of physical fitness and be willing to help with a variety of tasks - some strenuous and dirty. Animal Care Volunteers don't have any hands-on animal contact, but they play an important role in supporting the Zoo to provide the highest standards of animal care and welfare.
The Nest Te Kōhanga Volunteers
The Nest Te Kōhanga Volunteers support our veterinary hospital staff with day to day activities associated with animal health and rehabilitation. They also provide support with administrative and ad hoc tasks that contribute to the appearance and smooth running of The Nest Te Kōhanga. As a The Nest Te Kōhanga Volunteer, you'd need to show common sense working in close proximity with sick or injured animals, and understand the importance of adhering to hygiene standards. Some of the work is dirty and may be strenuous at times.
How to apply
We recruit for new volunteers in March and August of each year. You’ll be able to apply on our Careers page during the next recruitment drive.
Please note that if you are successful in gaining a Volunteer role at Wellington Zoo Trust you will need to undergo a Ministry of Justice and/or NZ Police Check.
We look forward to welcoming you to our wild party!
