Wellington Zoo wins ZAA Exhibit Award for Hero HQ

Wellington Zoo was a winner at the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Australasian Regional Conference in Auckland last week – with its Hero HQ awarded Best Small Scale exhibit from a Large Institution.

Hero HQ opened in April 2013 and is home to Chameleons, Tarantula, Sheltopusik, Rainforest Scorpions, Goliath Stick Insects, and other invertebrates and reptiles.

Zoo Chief Executive Karen Fifield stated “we’re very proud – this was a hotly contested category in the ZAA awards. The award is given to an exhibit that costs less than $500,000 to build – and Hero HQ cost a lot less than that, with fantastic results! The ZAA regional awards are contested by ZAA members from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

“Hero HQ was designed and built by our in-house Zoo team, and showcases some of nature’s most amazing creatures. A comic book style design was employed to emphasise the superhero qualities of these animals, and to create a vibrant, multi-layered and fascinating visitor experience.”

“Hero HQ also encourages visitors to think about reptiles and invertebrates in their own backyard, and delivers messages to raise awareness of how people can help these animals at home.

“Like all exhibits at Wellington Zoo, Hero HQ was constructed with sustainability in mind, including recycling the air conditioning and electrical equipment from our previous reptile exhibit, and using the highest specification insulation and double glazing to ensure efficient use of power. Even the building itself is recycled from its previous incarnation as the Zoo kiosk.

“This accolade acknowledges our innovative thinking, teamwork and great sustainability and conservation outcomes.”

The win is the second ZAA award for Wellington Zoo – The Nest Te Kōhanga, Wellington Zoo’s animal hospital and centre for native wildlife, won Best Large Exhibit from a Large Institution in 2010.