Karen Fifield MNZM, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo’s chief executive and president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations and institutions, has announced her intention to step down in April 2026, marking the end of nearly two decades of leadership at New Zealand’s first zoo and Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation.
Since joining in 2006, Fifield has transformed Te Nukuao into a world-leading, award-winning zoo, achieving notable milestones such as the opening of Te Kōhanga The Nest veterinary hospital, becoming the world’s first Toitū carbon-zero certified zoo, and winning the inaugural WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award.
She has been a tireless champion of animal welfare, conservation, and sustainability, motivating her team and the wider zoo and aquarium community with her vision and dedication to excellence.
Outstanding leadership
WAZA says that it warmly acknowledges Fifield’s outstanding leadership as president over the past two years and especially throughout 2025, WAZA’s 90th anniversary year.
She has worked extensively with WAZA, as vice-president, a member of the Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Committee and as chair of the Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee. She has had a lead role in the development of the association’s sustainability guides, as well as policies including the WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal, Protecting Our Planet, and WAZA Sustainability Strategy.
Under her presidency, she has bolstered WAZA’s position as a genuinely global voice for the zoo and aquarium community and helped advance the framework for the association’s 2030 Conservation Goal.
See also: WAZA: a global force for conservation, animal welfare, and sustainability
She will remain WAZA president until 30 October 2025, when the newly elected Council takes office at the 80th Annual Conference in Cali, Colombia. From that date, she will continue to serve on the WAZA Council for one term, holding the immediate past-president observer seat.
