Veterinarian Emily with a Kororā penguin

The Nest Te Kōhanga is a world leading facility that enables us to provide Zoo animals with amazing veterinary care, and it is a regional hub for treating and rehabilitating injured native wildlife from Wellington and further afield. Since opening, The Nest Te Kōhanga veterinary team has treated over 4,500 native wildlife patients brought to us by members of the community, the SPCA, the Department of Conservation, and ZEALANDIA. Many of these patients have been successfully released back to the wild.

The Nest Te Kōhanga opened on December 9, 2009

The Nest Te Kōhanga was the largest and most ambitious project in the Zoo’s history. The facility has significantly enhanced the level of care the Zoo can give all animals, whether Zoo residents or native wildlife, and has added a new dimension to the visitor experience at the Zoo.

When we were designing The Nest Te Kōhanga, we wanted to provide first-class care for wildlife, showcase the work of our veterinary team and give our visitors the opportunity to see and engage with our team about the work we do to care for animals. Each of the main treatment rooms in The Nest Te Kōhanga feature large viewing windows, so visitors can experience all animal check-ups and procedures. Our veterinary team provide expert step-by-step commentary, and visitors are able to ask them questions as they work.

The Nest Te Kōhanga in action

We’re also building the capability of wildlife veterinary skills in New Zealand through the Masterate in Zoo Animal and Wildlife Health programme, run with Massey University. Two graduates of the programme are now working at the Zoo and other graduates have gone on to do amazing work for native species in the wild.

Senior Veterinarian, Baukje treats a Kākā with a sinus infection

Since the opening of The Nest Te Kōhanga, the Zoo’s veterinary team have lead intensive procedures involving Zoo patients and treated a wide array of native wildlife species.

One of the most memorable surgeries we’ve performed at The Nest Te Kōhanga was on Zahra the Lion, who had to have her ear canal removed after an on-going ear infection. The surgery was successful and Zahra has since made a full recovery.

Happy Feet in the Nest Te Kōhanga's salt water pool

Over the years, The Nest Te Kōhanga team have been lucky to treat some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife. Some of our well-known patients include Stella the Kākāpō chick, a Chatham Island Tāiko, Happy Feet the Emperor Penguin, an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, a Hoiho Yellow-eyed Penguin, a number of Tawaki Fiordland Crested Penguins, as well as various species of kiwi and skinks.

Chatham Island Taiko in The Nest Te Kōhanga

We know that both Stella and the Tāiko have gone on to successfully breed after their restoration to the wild, boosting the populations of these critically endangered animals. And, treating all of these amazing native animals has allowed our Wellington community to get up close to wildlife they may never otherwise get to see.

Veterinary Nurse, Angelina Martelli feeds Stella the Kākāpō chick

Nestival celebration weekend

Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December 2019

Join us at Wellington Zoo for our Nestival event celebrating 10 years of The Nest Te Kōhanga.

The weekend festivities will include special vet-themed talks, entertainment, and games and activities where kids can get involved in the action and learn to be junior vets for the day. 

Click here for more event details.