Hamilton Zoo accreditation is a national first

Hamilton Zoo has become the first zoo in New Zealand to attain accreditation from the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA).

Hamilton Zoo was a founding member of ARAZPA and became the first New Zealand zoo to undergo an accreditation review when the organisation launched its accreditation programme last year. The International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch has also recently achieved accreditation. The programme assesses minimum standards for all ARAZPA members.

Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley says that ARAZPA accreditation, together with the already well-established environmental management systems, exemplify the forefront position Hamilton Zoo has taken both in ARAZPA and zoo performance generally.

“Over the last two years, Hamilton Zoo has taken on a leadership role within the membership of ARAZPA, especially with regard to the development and implementation of minimum standards for the ARAZPA members. This not only assists the region’s zoos and aquariums, it also directly benefits Hamilton Zoo and we are able to ensure that the zoo develops in line with best practice.

“This ARAZPA accreditation is great recognition of the quality of care provided for the animals at Hamilton Zoo and more importantly, the zoo’s significant role in the long-term viability of our animal populations including many native species such as kokako, brown teal and Hochstetter’s frogs.”

ARAZPA’s is not the only landmark accreditation that Hamilton Zoo has achieved. In 2002, Hamilton Zoo became the first zoo in Australasia to be accredited under the ISO standard for Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001).