New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management – Zookeeping

Please note: Entry into this programme requires you to have a confirmed zoo placement. If you are interested in a placement with Auckland Zoo, we will arrange this as part of your application. If you are interested in applying for a placement with another facility within New Zealand, please ensure you arrange this with them before applying for this programme.

Imagine a job where you work with some of the world’s most majestic and vulnerable wild animals. Studying to become a zookeeper will turn that dream into a reality so you can make a meaningful contribution to the welfare, care, and conservation of wild animals in New Zealand and overseas zoos.  In this programme, you’ll equip yourself with the skills, knowledge, and attributes needed to ensure the positive welfare and care of wild animals in a zoo environment and manage the daily operations of wildlife or zookeeping facilities.  Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to maintain the safety and welfare of yourself and animals in a wild animal in human care environment, including feeding, safety and hygiene practices, housing and containment of animals, natural behaviours, enrichment, and life histories
• How to recognise and respond to health issues and emergencies involving wild animals within a zoo environment.
• The role of zoos and other wild animal facilities. You’ll delve into the history of these facilities and how they’ve changed over the years and explore zoos’ local and global impact on conservation.

Highlights

• Only zookeeper qualification in NZ. All main zoos in Aotearoa, New Zealand, recognise this programme as the entry-level qualification to work as a zookeeper in this industry.
• A mixture of on and off-campus learning. You’ll be required to attend three compulsory block courses (5-6 days) at our Mt Albert campus, where you’ll gain applied knowledge and skills to help you through your work experience. It’s also a chance to meet students from other zoos nationwide and attend field trips to the Auckland Zoo.
• Lots of work experience. You’ll complete 280 hours at an approved zoological facility where you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve learned to the practical management of a wide range of species.

Blended learning

This study option is full-time (off-campus and online), and you’ll be required to attend three compulsory block courses at our Mt Albert campus.
To study from a distance, you must be self-motivated, committed, and have excellent time management skills. You must attend all block courses, exams, practical assessments, and work experience and complete your self-directed study (research, reading, and revision) and assessment writing.
You’ll also need consistent access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and appropriate office software, e.g., Microsoft Office, which we’ll provide once you‘re enrolled.

Finding the right work placement

To apply for this programme, you must secure 280 hours of work experience at an approved zoo facility over the year of your study.  You can complete your work experience at one facility or across multiple facilities. If you’re interested in a placement with Auckland Zoo, we will arrange this as part of your application. If you’re interested in applying for a placement with a different facility, please ensure you arrange it before applying for this programme (we’ll require written consent that you have a suitable work placement confirmed). You must split your work experience between three animals groups:

• At least 40 hours must be with invertebrates, fish, amphibians or reptiles
• At least 40 hours must be with birds
• At least 80 hours must be with mammals, with a minimum of 16 hours with at least one dangerous animal

Each zoo has unique age requirements and final application dates. For example, Auckland Zoo has a minimum age requirement of 18. We advise that you contact the zoo/s that you’re seeking placement with as soon as possible (excluding Auckland Zoo).   

Interested in working at Auckland Zoo?

Unitec arranges Auckland Zoo placements as part of your application. If you plan on applying for a placement at Auckland Zoo, follow the instructions below (please don’t contact them directly).

Where to next?

If you’re interested in continuing your studies, this programme will give you the academic admission requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Animal Management and Welfare or Biodiversity Management.

Career Options

• Animal carer in a wildlife park or animal sanctuary
• Zookeeper

Annual Tuition Fees

Domestic/NZ students

$7,900

(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)

International students

This programme is not open to international students - check our international study options instead.

Semester Dates

Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun

Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov

For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage. For StudyLink purposes please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.

Online Orientation: Week of 16th February 2026. The online orientation will be for two days in that week

Block Course dates for 2026 are as follows:

Block Course 1: 5 days; Monday 13th April – Friday 17th April Incl.

Block Course 2: 5 days; Monday 15th June – Friday 19th June Incl.

Block Course 3: 5 days; Monday 28th September – Friday 2nd October Incl.

Downloads and resources

Programme regulations - New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management – Zookeeping Programme Flyer NZCAM (Zookeeping) 2025 Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students