Auckland Zoo's former keeper's house on the market for $1 reserve - but there's a catch

The former zookeeper’s home at Auckland Zoo is on the market for just $1.

The 1980s cottage is being sold and removed from the grounds to make way for a new administration building.

Auckland Zoo capital programmes manager Paul Tyler says the zoo has expanded its staff numbers and need more space for offices.

"We hope the house can get a new lease of life somewhere because the alternative is that it needs to go, and it would be a shame to demolish it."

Although the home is essentially free, the Zoo says the future buyers must pay the cost to have the home removed from its current location.

All profits from the sale will go into the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund to conserve vulnerable species in their natural habitat.

One house haulage company believes removing the home could be impossible due to its height and the intertwining wood that makes up the Lockwood home.

Potential buyers will have until November 24 to purchase and remove the house, with construction on the new building set to begin days shortly after.

By 1 NEWS reporter India Leishman