What I Learned From 20 Years Running a Zoo (with Karen Fifield, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo)

After 20 years leading Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, Karen Fifield is preparing to step down as Chief Executive.

So we sat down with her to ask a simple question: What has a lifetime in zoos taught her?

Her answer reaches far beyond the animals that visitors see. It’s about conservation, technology, ethics, diversity in the workplace, animal welfare, storytelling, and learning to share the planet with other living beings.

Karen reflects on what animals have taught her about authenticity, why good zoos must be built around care and trust, and why facts alone rarely change how people see the world.

As she puts it, “we’re storytellers as human beings, we are not fact collectors.”

This is a thoughtful conversation about animals, people, and the role of good zoos in a changing world.

Here are some of the key topics we discussed:

What animals taught Karen during her time at Te Nukuao Wellington ZooLessons from observing animal behaviourChimpanzee leadership styles and what we can learn from themThe evolution of zoos towards conservation organisationsHow technology shapes conservation research and outcomesWhy Karen cares so much about animal welfareThe 5 domains of animal welfareWhat Karen has learned about leading people in a ‘heart-based’ professionHow to empower staff to do their best work for animalsThe changing role of women in zoos, conservation, and leadershipWhy storytelling is more powerful than facts aloneThe evolution of technology in the zoo sectorKaren’s outlook for the future of zoos and technologyAnd much more…Love the People Helping Nature Podcast? Get notified when new episodes go live - subscribe for emails here: www.conservationamplified.org

👩About Karen:

Originally from Australia, Karen’s zoological career began at Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Zoos Victoria before she joined Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo in 2006. In June 2026, Karen will step down as Te Nukuao Chief Executive after 20 years in the role.

Alongside her Chief Executive role, Karen was also the President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) and was the most recent President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) before she completed her term in October 2025.

In 2023, Karen was recognised as one of the Power 10 Zoo and Aquarium Blooloop Top 50 Influencers internationally, and in 2016 became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for services to Business and Animal Welfare.