Karen Fifield

Karen was the Chief Executive of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo from 2006 to 2026 and is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for Business and Animal Welfare. Karen was the President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums(WAZA) from 2023 to 2025. She was previously the Chair of the WAZA Sustainability Sub-Committee, Chair of the WAZA Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee and President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia.

Karen was 2010 Wellingtonian of the Year in the Environment category. Karen was a finalist in both the 2014 and 2015 Westpac/Fairfax Media NZ Women of Influence Awards in the Social Enterprise category and the Board and Management category respectively. Karen was in the Top Ten Blooploop Zoo and Aquarium 50 Influencers of 2023,