Hamilton Zoo encourages free visits by schools

Students from low-decile schools in the Waikato and Coromandel region will now have the chance to visit Hamilton Zoo for free thanks to a partnership between the Zoo and The Warehouse.

The Warehouse Zoofari programme will transport students from decile 1-3 schools to the Zoo, provide entry and an education session at no cost.

The introduction of the program is expected to result in approximately 1,000 students from throughout the Waikato and Coromandel participate this year.

Hamilton Zoo hosts more than 8,000 students each year through the education programme and Zoo Director Dr Stephen Standley says this is a fantastic development which allows more students to visit and learn about animals and conservation.

Standley states “many children have never been to the zoo so we are really excited to be partnering with The Warehouse to make this possible.

“This initiative removes all of the cost barriers for participating schools so the students can come in and explore, see the animals and take part in an education session with a zoo educator.”

The Warehouse Zoofari programme started as a partnership between The Warehouse and Auckland Zoo in 2013, and this year extended into Northland. The Warehouse Zoofari initiative is also running at Wellington Zoo.

The Warehouse Cambridge Store Manager Melody Davis says being able to help get more children involved in this programme is wonderful, adding “as the community champion for our region I am delighted that our local stores and their customers can make a difference for the children in our communities.”

Funds to back the program will be raised through The Warehouse local stores by an ‘add a dollar to purchase’ promotion where customers add $1 or more to their purchase during a two week period from 11th May.

Decile 1-3 schools in the Waikato and Coromandel area will then apply to Hamilton Zoo to visit and the first Zoofari class visits will take place from term three onwards.

14th December 2011 - HAMILTON ZOO INTRODUCES SMOKE-FREE POLICY

31st July 2011 - HAMILTON ZOO ATTRACTS RECORD FOR VISITOR NUMBERS