Macgouti Encounter

Immerse yourself in a new colourful and vibrant world during this 'Macgouti' encounter, get up close with our Macaws and discover the curious nature of Agoutis.

You’ll be accompanied by our expert bird keepers, who will take you into the South American aviary. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our resident Macaws, learn about their behaviour, diet, and habitat, and even feed them a treat! You’ll also meet one of our playful Agouti, a charismatic rodent native to South America.

This is a chance to learn about two incredible animal species and their unique relationship with one another.

The Animal Encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes overall with a maximum of 4 people per group. You’ll be in close proximity to the animal for a minimum of 15 minutes. Every Animal Encounter is unique and the amount of interaction will be led by the animals themselves to ensure their welfare.

Please note: 

Standard Hamilton Zoo entry fee applies in addition to the price of the Animal Encounter.

Spaces are limited, booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Exclusive Animal Encounters are also available, please contact Hamilton Zoo directly to enquire.

All participants must be over the age of 5 years old. Children 5-15 years of age must have an accompanying adult (booked and paid) with them on the encounter. There must be at least one adult per every three children.

Please contact our team at zooinfo@hcc.govt.nz to discuss any disabilities or impairments that may affect your ability to engage in these experiences so we can assess them on a case-by-case basis.

We want to make sure all Animal Encounter participants have an enjoyable experience. It is the responsibility of the participants to read the terms and conditions prior to arriving at Hamilton Zoo.