Amy Hughes - Board Member

General Manager Communication, Experience and Conservation - Wellington Zoo

Amy Hughes is the General Manager Communications, Experience and Conservation at Wellington Zoo where she has worked for nearly 15 years. Over the last 15 years she has worked in a variety of roles at the Zoo in marketing, communications, visitor experience, education, conservation and sustainability. 

For the last four years Amy has been the Oceania (previously Australia/New Zealand) regional representative on the International Zoo Educators Association working with Zoo educators and engagement professionals from across the world. She is a recognised as a leader in Zoo visitor engagement and learning. 

Amy has been on Wellington Zoo’s senior leadership team for the last 12 years, and has been an active member in the transformation of the Zoo – both physically and experientially. In 2017, she spent five months in Sydney as Acting Executive Director of ZAA leading the organisation through a period of transition while a new permanent Executive Director was appointed.  

She is passionate about connecting people to animals and encouraging positive, sustainable environmental behaviours and led the project for Wellington Zoo to become the first carboNZero certified Zoo in the world.