Warm thanks are due to the various organisations that have partnered with the Zoo on new or continuing projects. In particular we would like to thank our partners in the café, Dixon Brothers, for their hard work and support during the year.

Wellington City Council

As principal funder, Council is the Zoo's most important partner. Council has recently created new positions with a focus on environmental sustainability, an initiative we welcome. We are working with them to achieve the goal of becoming one of their major partners in sustainability.

Benefactors

The Zoo benefited again from funding granted by a number of trusts during the year. Among others, the Community Trust of Wellington, the Unison Trust, the Licensing Trust Authority, and Pub Charity all separately contributed to new exhibits and new amenities for both animals and visitors.

Sponsors

We are delighted that several valued sponsors continue to offer their vital contributions to our animals' health and comfort:

• Our relationship with Pacific Radiology, sponsors of the Zoo hospital, has grown from strength to strength. They provide all necessary CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs and other diagnostic services for our animals, and their support allows us to be sophisticated in our diagnostic approach and achieve markedly improved health outcomes.
  
  
• Arataki Honey provides us with cash and honey for our sun bears. Their staff are very committed to the welfare of the species and have raised significant sums of money, which they donate through the Zoo to the Free the Bears fund. The sponsorship from Arataki Honey has also enabled us to renovate the cubbing dens in anticipation of future cubs.
  
  
• Tip Top runs a promotional activity with the Popsicle Band on Children's Day, and makes a donation to an enclosure.
  
  
• The Dominion Post provides us with a free monthly column and advertising in exchange for buying newspapers to give away to Zoo visitors.
  
  
• Classic Hits sponsor the red pandas.
  
  
• Singapore Airlines provided free transport for animal conditioner Gerry Whitehouse-Tedd to accompany cheetahs Charlie and Delta from South Africa to their new home at Wellington Zoo.

We would also like to thank the generous supporters of our horticultural work:

• Hirepool provided equipment – mini diggers, post-hole borers, large chainsaws, digger, boom lifter and levelling bar.
  
• Magnum Industries Ltd. provided a mini-loader along with levelling bar, road brush, 4-in-1 bucket, and front bucket for five days – for the preparation of the new savannah area.
  
  
• Ablaze landscape suppliers waived delivery charges and gave generous discounts on products.
  
  
• Drogue Construction Ltd., supplier of topsoil, manuka poles and other landscape materials, gave us generous discounts.
  

Other zoos

Our close collaborations with other zoos continue to be vital to our smooth functioning. Not only do we work together on joint species programmes through the ASMP but, increasingly, our learning and marketing staff work together within New Zealand and around the region to share expertise and coordinate initiatives.

We participated in the ERMA risk analysis with Auckland Zoo for pygmy marmosets and superb starlings, and several Zoo crew members continue to serve as species coordinators and husbandry advisers with the ASMP. Our Chief Executive Officer was re-elected to the board of the industry organisation, ARAZPA.

Wellington peers

In a broad partnership with Te Papa, Victoria University of Wellington, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pukaha/Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre (Department of Conservation) we are working to develop a comprehensive and integrated conservation programme based on the New Zealand wood pigeon, the kereru.

The kereru is the only remaining bird that disperses seeds of all indigenous large-fruited trees. This means it is the keystone species for the survival of our forests – and its role in the New Zealand ecology is an excellent catalyst for engaging students, teachers, and the local community in conservation.

Our close working relationship with Karori Wildlife Sanctuary continues. Following on from last year's encounter outside the Zoo, Harold the kaka was this year taken to the Sanctuary and gave their visitors a chance to get close to one of these lively and personable birds.