Zookeeper - Hamilton Zoo

About Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo at Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct is an accredited zoo and aquarium member of ZAA and WAZA. Run by Hamilton City Council, the zoo spans 35 hectares of peaceful grounds and is home to more than 500 native and exotic animals.

The Opportunity

The team is hiring two animal keepers in Hamilton, New Zealand: one focused on ungulates and one focused on primates. The role is practical and animal-care focused, with responsibility for daily welfare, feeding, enrichment, and maintaining a clean, safe environment for the animals.

Key Duties

• Mix and deliver species-appropriate diets and enrichment tailored to the needs of individual animals.
• Watch animals closely for changes in behaviour, health, or welfare, and escalate anything unusual.
• Keep enclosures clean, secure, and hygienic.
• Maintain accurate logs of observations, behaviour, and daily activities.
• Follow all relevant safety rules and operating procedures.
• Support training and socialisation activities where required.
• Take part in education activities and speak with visitors about primates or ungulates and their conservation.

Experience and Skills

Relevant experience with primates and/or ungulates is preferred and will strengthen an application. The right candidate should be highly observant, detail-oriented, confident with documentation, and knowledgeable about animal behaviour, diets, and husbandry. Good communication, teamwork, and the ability to work safely around animals are essential. The role also requires flexibility for weekends, public holidays, and irregular shifts, along with the physical capacity for lifting, bending, and standing for long periods.

Additional Information

The advertised salary is between NZD 60,216 and NZD 83,258, depending on skills and experience.

Hamilton City Council offers professional development opportunities, two wellbeing days each year, free health insurance through Unimed including hospital and surgery cover plus discounted family membership rates, free annual health checks and flu vaccinations, the option to buy extra annual leave, reimbursement for eye tests and glasses, and access to discounts from local businesses such as gyms, cafes, dentists, hairdressers, and more.

Applicants can include a cover letter by combining it with their resume in a single PDF, or by using the message box for the hiring team. Applications close on 2 August 2026, and shortlisting begins as applications are received.

Selected candidates will go through interviews, reference checks, a criminal check, and a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol testing, because the role is safety sensitive. If you need adjustments during the selection process, you can request support in advance. Hamilton City Council also notes that it values inclusion and welcomes diversity. The role is sourced directly, and unsolicited agency contact will not attract fees or commissions.