Interview: Wellbeing - where the wild things are
Our Senior Consultant, Linda Gilbert spoke with Soteria Fetalaiga, Marketing Manager at Auckland Zoo Te Whare Kararehe o Tāmaki Makaurau about the zoo’s wellbeing programmes and campaign. The zoo is a not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Linda Gilbert (LG): Can you tell us about the ‘Wellbeing in Nature’ campaign and how it began?
Soteria Fetalaiga (SF): Like all other areas of life, Covid-19 impacted the zoo. With no visitors permitted, the animals had the place to themselves. We realised there was an opportunity to share this time with the community by posting videos about what the animals and our essential workers (like keepers and the vet team), were up to. It was a way to provide equal access for everyone interested in the zoo and build connections between the public and the zoo. Now the zoo has a strong, virtual community as well as in person visitors. After the Covid-19 lockdowns, we offered free passes through the Wellbeing in Nature programme. These were targeted to under-served communities who did not have the resources to take a day trip to the zoo with their families. Many of these people had been front-line workers during the Covid-19 epidemic, risking their lives to help others.
LG: How do you define wellbeing?
SF: We wanted to help our visitors understand that a visit to the zoo is good for people’s wellbeing. This is because, wildlife is good for people to experience. The zoo is a place where people can connect with friends and family, see animals they wouldn’t usually encounter, learn, be safe, have a picnic, go to the shop, or sit in the cafe that overlooks the lake and aerial pathways where the orangutans and siamangs play.
The zoo has developed 7 commitments based on concepts of wellbeing. They are:
- Excellence in animal care & welfare. Te hiringa tiaki me te manaaki kararehe.
- Enhancing the wellbeing of our communities. Whakareia te oranga hāpori.
- Nurturing a lifelong connection with nature. Atawhaitia te hono ki te taiao.
- Conserving wildlife in the wild. Tiaki kararehe mohoao i ngā whaitua oranga.
- Science, learning & training. Pūtaiao, ako me te whakangungu.
- Strengthening our relationship with Te Ao Māori. Whakakaha i ngā taura hono ki Te Ao Māori.
- Evolving our organisation sustainably. Whakawhanake i te tōpūtanga kia ora.
These commitments then also formed the basis of the wellbeing marketing campaign we designed.
LG: How does the zoo design its habitats and programmes to maximise positive interactions between visitors and animals, considering both physical and emotional wellbeing?
SF: Our plan for wellbeing offers the best care for wildlife and the best experience for visitors. We keep accessibility in mind and the built environment enables access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The paths are wide and walkable. Signage is clear and educational information is delivered in print and video formats. We take care to advocate for wildlife in a way that doesn’t remove the mana (respect) of visitors or animals. Our species action plans are designed with the wellbeing of each species in mind. They are diverse, catering to the varying needs and wants of the many different animals we care for. An example of a bespoke built environment is the tropical dome within our South East Asia Jungle Track. It provides a climate-controlled environment that the animals and plants thrive in and an immersive Indonesian swamp forest experience for visitors.
LG: Does the zoo offer specific programmes based on wellbeing?
SF: We use the Five Pathways of Wellbeing developed by the New Economics Foundation to help visitors understand how connecting with nature at the zoo can enhance their wellbeing and nurture a lifelong connection with nature. These are: social relationships, physical activity, awareness, learning, and giving. Another programme is Kia Ora Ake. Its aim is to promote wellbeing and mindfulness relating to animals and wildlife. This is a co-designed programme between the zoo and communities in South Auckland. It started 5 months ago and while it is in its infancy it is designed to meet people where they are. We also produced a campaign that reflects wellbeing by connecting with nature through a te ao Māori lens. Key messages include reflecting, renewing and reconnecting with Papatuanuku (earth mother). It features staff members who discuss how they connect with nature and explain that humans along with nature and animals form part of the whole ecosystem on earth. This gives people the language to express these connections, and to build empathy for a more sustainable future.
LG: Does the zoo currently measure its impact on visitors’ wellbeing?
SF: We conduct annual visitor research and in 2024 we added two questions about wellbeing. They are:
- A visit to the Zoo has a positive impact on my personal sense of wellbeing
- I feel closer to nature as a result of my visit to the Zoo
LG: What do you see as the main challenges and improvements than can be made to promoting wellbeing at the zoo?
SF: I can categorically say that none of our 200+ staff members would do anything to compromise animal welfare. And we believe that if we deliver excellence in animal welfare, we also deliver a good experience for visitors. We are however aware of the risk of compassion fatigue amongst staff and volunteers who go above and beyond the line of duty. So, we are mindful of looking after their wellbeing and that is included in the zoo’s strategic planning. Like other good modern zoos, we are continuously improving the way we deliver the best experience for visitors and our communities while ensuring we never compromise animal welfare. Our challenge is to contextualise wellbeing within the zoo, reduce human and animal conflicts around habitats internationally, and bring a sense of optimism to mobilise action for nature.
As a wildlife conservation science organisation, we are dedicated to our mission: To bring people together to build a future for wildlife.
Interview: Wellbeing - where the wild things are
Our Senior Consultant, Linda Gilbert spoke with Soteria Fetalaiga, Marketing Manager at Auckland Zoo Te Whare Kararehe o Tāmaki Makaurau about the zoo’s wellbeing programmes and campaign. The zoo is a not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Linda Gilbert (LG): Can you tell us about the ‘Wellbeing in Nature’ campaign and how it began?
Soteria Fetalaiga (SF): Like all other areas of life, Covid-19 impacted the zoo. With no visitors permitted, the animals had the place to themselves. We realised there was an opportunity to share this time with the community by posting videos about what the animals and our essential workers (like keepers and the vet team), were up to. It was a way to provide equal access for everyone interested in the zoo and build connections between the public and the zoo. Now the zoo has a strong, virtual community as well as in person visitors. After the Covid-19 lockdowns, we offered free passes through the Wellbeing in Nature programme. These were targeted to under-served communities who did not have the resources to take a day trip to the zoo with their families. Many of these people had been front-line workers during the Covid-19 epidemic, risking their lives to help others.
LG: How do you define wellbeing?
SF: We wanted to help our visitors understand that a visit to the zoo is good for people’s wellbeing. This is because, wildlife is good for people to experience. The zoo is a place where people can connect with friends and family, see animals they wouldn’t usually encounter, learn, be safe, have a picnic, go to the shop, or sit in the cafe that overlooks the lake and aerial pathways where the orangutans and siamangs play.
The zoo has developed 7 commitments based on concepts of wellbeing. They are:
- Excellence in animal care & welfare. Te hiringa tiaki me te manaaki kararehe.
- Enhancing the wellbeing of our communities. Whakareia te oranga hāpori.
- Nurturing a lifelong connection with nature. Atawhaitia te hono ki te taiao.
- Conserving wildlife in the wild. Tiaki kararehe mohoao i ngā whaitua oranga.
- Science, learning & training. Pūtaiao, ako me te whakangungu.
- Strengthening our relationship with Te Ao Māori. Whakakaha i ngā taura hono ki Te Ao Māori.
- Evolving our organisation sustainably. Whakawhanake i te tōpūtanga kia ora.
These commitments then also formed the basis of the wellbeing marketing campaign we designed.
LG: How does the zoo design its habitats and programmes to maximise positive interactions between visitors and animals, considering both physical and emotional wellbeing?
SF: Our plan for wellbeing offers the best care for wildlife and the best experience for visitors. We keep accessibility in mind and the built environment enables access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The paths are wide and walkable. Signage is clear and educational information is delivered in print and video formats. We take care to advocate for wildlife in a way that doesn’t remove the mana (respect) of visitors or animals. Our species action plans are designed with the wellbeing of each species in mind. They are diverse, catering to the varying needs and wants of the many different animals we care for. An example of a bespoke built environment is the tropical dome within our South East Asia Jungle Track. It provides a climate-controlled environment that the animals and plants thrive in and an immersive Indonesian swamp forest experience for visitors.
LG: Does the zoo offer specific programmes based on wellbeing?
SF: We use the Five Pathways of Wellbeing developed by the New Economics Foundation to help visitors understand how connecting with nature at the zoo can enhance their wellbeing and nurture a lifelong connection with nature. These are: social relationships, physical activity, awareness, learning, and giving. Another programme is Kia Ora Ake. Its aim is to promote wellbeing and mindfulness relating to animals and wildlife. This is a co-designed programme between the zoo and communities in South Auckland. It started 5 months ago and while it is in its infancy it is designed to meet people where they are. We also produced a campaign that reflects wellbeing by connecting with nature through a te ao Māori lens. Key messages include reflecting, renewing and reconnecting with Papatuanuku (earth mother). It features staff members who discuss how they connect with nature and explain that humans along with nature and animals form part of the whole ecosystem on earth. This gives people the language to express these connections, and to build empathy for a more sustainable future.
LG: Does the zoo currently measure its impact on visitors’ wellbeing?
SF: We conduct annual visitor research and in 2024 we added two questions about wellbeing. They are:
- A visit to the Zoo has a positive impact on my personal sense of wellbeing
- I feel closer to nature as a result of my visit to the Zoo
LG: What do you see as the main challenges and improvements than can be made to promoting wellbeing at the zoo?
SF: I can categorically say that none of our 200+ staff members would do anything to compromise animal welfare. And we believe that if we deliver excellence in animal welfare, we also deliver a good experience for visitors. We are however aware of the risk of compassion fatigue amongst staff and volunteers who go above and beyond the line of duty. So, we are mindful of looking after their wellbeing and that is included in the zoo’s strategic planning. Like other good modern zoos, we are continuously improving the way we deliver the best experience for visitors and our communities while ensuring we never compromise animal welfare. Our challenge is to contextualise wellbeing within the zoo, reduce human and animal conflicts around habitats internationally, and bring a sense of optimism to mobilise action for nature.
As a wildlife conservation science organisation, we are dedicated to our mission: To bring people together to build a future for wildlife.
Interview: Wellbeing - where the wild things are
Our Senior Consultant, Linda Gilbert spoke with Soteria Fetalaiga, Marketing Manager at Auckland Zoo Te Whare Kararehe o Tāmaki Makaurau about the zoo’s wellbeing programmes and campaign. The zoo is a not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Linda Gilbert (LG): Can you tell us about the ‘Wellbeing in Nature’ campaign and how it began?
Soteria Fetalaiga (SF): Like all other areas of life, Covid-19 impacted the zoo. With no visitors permitted, the animals had the place to themselves. We realised there was an opportunity to share this time with the community by posting videos about what the animals and our essential workers (like keepers and the vet team), were up to. It was a way to provide equal access for everyone interested in the zoo and build connections between the public and the zoo. Now the zoo has a strong, virtual community as well as in person visitors. After the Covid-19 lockdowns, we offered free passes through the Wellbeing in Nature programme. These were targeted to under-served communities who did not have the resources to take a day trip to the zoo with their families. Many of these people had been front-line workers during the Covid-19 epidemic, risking their lives to help others.
LG: How do you define wellbeing?
SF: We wanted to help our visitors understand that a visit to the zoo is good for people’s wellbeing. This is because, wildlife is good for people to experience. The zoo is a place where people can connect with friends and family, see animals they wouldn’t usually encounter, learn, be safe, have a picnic, go to the shop, or sit in the cafe that overlooks the lake and aerial pathways where the orangutans and siamangs play.
The zoo has developed 7 commitments based on concepts of wellbeing. They are:
- Excellence in animal care & welfare. Te hiringa tiaki me te manaaki kararehe.
- Enhancing the wellbeing of our communities. Whakareia te oranga hāpori.
- Nurturing a lifelong connection with nature. Atawhaitia te hono ki te taiao.
- Conserving wildlife in the wild. Tiaki kararehe mohoao i ngā whaitua oranga.
- Science, learning & training. Pūtaiao, ako me te whakangungu.
- Strengthening our relationship with Te Ao Māori. Whakakaha i ngā taura hono ki Te Ao Māori.
- Evolving our organisation sustainably. Whakawhanake i te tōpūtanga kia ora.
These commitments then also formed the basis of the wellbeing marketing campaign we designed.
LG: How does the zoo design its habitats and programmes to maximise positive interactions between visitors and animals, considering both physical and emotional wellbeing?
SF: Our plan for wellbeing offers the best care for wildlife and the best experience for visitors. We keep accessibility in mind and the built environment enables access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The paths are wide and walkable. Signage is clear and educational information is delivered in print and video formats. We take care to advocate for wildlife in a way that doesn’t remove the mana (respect) of visitors or animals. Our species action plans are designed with the wellbeing of each species in mind. They are diverse, catering to the varying needs and wants of the many different animals we care for. An example of a bespoke built environment is the tropical dome within our South East Asia Jungle Track. It provides a climate-controlled environment that the animals and plants thrive in and an immersive Indonesian swamp forest experience for visitors.
LG: Does the zoo offer specific programmes based on wellbeing?
SF: We use the Five Pathways of Wellbeing developed by the New Economics Foundation to help visitors understand how connecting with nature at the zoo can enhance their wellbeing and nurture a lifelong connection with nature. These are: social relationships, physical activity, awareness, learning, and giving. Another programme is Kia Ora Ake. Its aim is to promote wellbeing and mindfulness relating to animals and wildlife. This is a co-designed programme between the zoo and communities in South Auckland. It started 5 months ago and while it is in its infancy it is designed to meet people where they are. We also produced a campaign that reflects wellbeing by connecting with nature through a te ao Māori lens. Key messages include reflecting, renewing and reconnecting with Papatuanuku (earth mother). It features staff members who discuss how they connect with nature and explain that humans along with nature and animals form part of the whole ecosystem on earth. This gives people the language to express these connections, and to build empathy for a more sustainable future.
LG: Does the zoo currently measure its impact on visitors’ wellbeing?
SF: We conduct annual visitor research and in 2024 we added two questions about wellbeing. They are:
- A visit to the Zoo has a positive impact on my personal sense of wellbeing
- I feel closer to nature as a result of my visit to the Zoo
LG: What do you see as the main challenges and improvements than can be made to promoting wellbeing at the zoo?
SF: I can categorically say that none of our 200+ staff members would do anything to compromise animal welfare. And we believe that if we deliver excellence in animal welfare, we also deliver a good experience for visitors. We are however aware of the risk of compassion fatigue amongst staff and volunteers who go above and beyond the line of duty. So, we are mindful of looking after their wellbeing and that is included in the zoo’s strategic planning. Like other good modern zoos, we are continuously improving the way we deliver the best experience for visitors and our communities while ensuring we never compromise animal welfare. Our challenge is to contextualise wellbeing within the zoo, reduce human and animal conflicts around habitats internationally, and bring a sense of optimism to mobilise action for nature.
As a wildlife conservation science organisation, we are dedicated to our mission: To bring people together to build a future for wildlife.
