Media Release
5 February 2013

Late openings at the Zoo this summer

Auckland Zoo is celebrating the longer summer days by staying open until 7.30pm most Wednesdays throughout February and March.

In addition to the regular zoo experience, the Summer Zoo Lates programme will offer live music at the Band Rotunda and an interactive art exhibition.

Visitors who come to the Zoo earlier in the day on 13, 20 and 27 February and 6, 13 and 20 March can simply stay late at no extra charge. If visitors arrive from 4.15pm, entry to the Zoo is $15 for adults, $10 for children, and under 4s are free. Last visitor entry is at 6.45pm.

“Summer Zoo Lates are perfect for visitors who can’t normally make it to the Zoo during the week because they’re at work or school,” says visitor experience manager, Natalie Hansby.

“It's also a really lovely time of day to come to the Zoo, and these visits will have quite a different feel than a regular day trip. Plus, our cafés will still be open, most animals will be up, and there will be live music at the band rotunda from 5.30pm to 7.30pm,” she says.

Opening the Summer Zoo Lates programme on Wednesday, 13 February is the Prohibition Big Band at the Band Rotunda, and the start of interactive art exhibition, Wandering Creatures, which will be on at the Zoo from 13 February to 20 March.

In Wandering Creatures, artist Kim Newall creates imaginative, hybrid, creatures by using a mix of traditional drawing and animation methods, combined with digital interactive media.

Visitors will get the chance to participate with the creatures that are roosting around the Zoo by jumping, walking or mimicking their actions, and the creatures in turn respond to this attention – all you need is a smartphone.

Guided tours of the exhibition will take place at no extra charge during Summer Zoo Lates on 20 and 27 February, and 6 and 13 March from 6pm to 7pm.

Visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz for full Summer Zoo Lates details.

Event Details:

• Wednesday, 13 February – Prohibition Big Band
• Wednesday, 20 February – Craig Williams Set with Hannah Grant
• Wednesday, 27 February – The Afro-Jazztet with James Langabeer
• Wednesday, 6 March – Fifty Five Drive
• Wednesday, 13 March – The Jazz Experience
• Wednesday, 20 March – Latin Silk, a 6-piece Latin American band

Ends

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