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Brooklands Zoo

ZOO ENABLES CLOSE INTERACTION BETWEEN ANIMALS AND VISITORS

Family focused

Brooklands Zoo is a family focused zoo which is home to farmyard animals, an endangered red panda, otters, lemurs and both capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys, as well as a selection of colourful birds and Parma wallabies inside a free-flight aviary.

Situated next to the TSB Bowl of Brooklands within Pukekura Park, the zoo is designed to help children of all ages get close to a variety of animals within their unique environments.

The latest members of the "zoo family" are three ring-tailed lemurs. The lemurs, all female, are named Ashley, Sarah and Minera. One has come from Auckland Zoo while the other two are from Hamilton Zoo. 

Lemurs do not use their tails to grasp with, but their long limbs and flexible toes and fingers mean these active animals are very good climbers. They use their sense of smell, bushy tails and noises to communicate with each other.

See the farmyard with its collection of young animals and walk through the free-flight aviary and the cotton-top tamarin monkey enclosure. Then watch the capuchin monkeys in their large and airy home from the elevated viewing deck or the wide ground-level window.
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Location

The entrance to Brooklands Zoo is off Brooklands Dr, New Plymouth. It is within easy walking distance from the city centre through Pukekura Park.

• Pukekura Park map (One page 223 KB PDF)

Opening hours

Open seven days a week 9am to 5pm.

Facilities

Wheelchair and pushchair access, playground, sun shade, toilets and picnic tables.

Cost

Free.

History

Brooklands Zoo was officially opened to the public in 1965. Jack Goodwin, a former Director of Parks, envisaged a collection of aviary birds and small animals for the community to enjoy.

The New Plymouth Jaycee Chapter and the New Plymouth Cage Bird Club were key partners who contributed to the construction of the original enclosures and the acquisition of bird and animal stock.

The zoo has undergone many changes since 1965. Recent building developments have created more open natural habitats for the animals while allowing closer, unrestricted viewing for visitors.
 
 The council endorses smokefree parks, playgrounds, sport grounds and walkways.

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