Hamilton Zoo sets new attendance record

Hamilton Zoo has set a new single-day admission record, with 2,517 visitors joining attending the animal attraction for its annual Family Fun Day on Good Friday.

The total exceeded the 2017 Family Fun Day visitor numbers of 968 by 160% and represented a 57% increase on the previous single-day admission record of 1,602 visitors set in late December 2017.

Commenting on the attendance, Hamilton Zoo Director Perrin Aish advised “it was definitely a day to remember, definitely.

“It was ‘all hands on deck’, but I’m very proud of my team – they put in a huge effort to make sure our visitors had a fantastic day.”

Aish says several factors contributed to the success of this year’s Family Fun Day, particularly moving it from Waitangi Day to Good Friday, explaining “the end of the summer break and the beginning of the school term is a busy time for most, so Waitangi Day was not ideal for this event.

“A move to Good Friday when the majority of families have time off and are looking for something to do together seemed the best option.”

Aish says in the last six to 12 months the Zoo’s team has worked hard to raise the Zoo’s profile and remind the community Hamilton has an attraction to be proud of, adding “partnership promotions, such as recent projects with the Chiefs and Chartwell Shopping Centre, have involved staff from across the zoo team and enabled us to take the zoo out to more people and give them a taste of the experiences available.”

The same whole-team approach was taken when planning the Family Fun Day, and together the Zoo team developed an appealing experience.

Aish concluded “we included the face painting, bouncy castle, music and art activities that you’d expect, but highlighted our special point of difference - our animals.

“With zoo keepers out mixing with the visitors throughout the day, giving rolling talks and free encounters where possible, we could share the animals’ stories and conservation messages while ensuring our visitors left us filled with fantastic, life-long memories.”

More activities and events are coming up at the zoo during the April and July school holiday periods, celebrations during Maori Language Week in September and a special Halloween-themed event in October. 

Image: Tigers at Hamilton Zoo. 

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