Hamilton Zoo says it "would not hesitate" to shoot an animal if a human life was in danger.
The Kiwi zoo explained its policy to the New Zealand Herald as anger grows internationally about the killing of a Western lowland gorilla in a US zoo after a little boy fell into its exhibit.
The 180kg gorilla named Harambe was shot dead by Cincinnati Zoo officials just one day after its 17th birthday.
Lance Vervoort of Hamilton City Council said the local zoo had an emergency procedure in place for "person in with dangerous animal", should a member of the public end up in a zoo enclosure.
The procedure required a "scene co-ordinator" be nominated, the police be called and the for zoo's trained firearms handler to come to the scene.
Hamilton Zoo has a registered and trained firearms handler available at all times every day the facility is open.
"The co-ordinator would decide whether to destroy the animal or secure them in another part of the exhibit," Mr Vervoort said.
Whether or not the animal was shot depended on the level of danger the situation presented.
"We have always maintained that we will not hesitate to shoot an animal if a human life is in danger."
Animals were graded in categories, from Category One animals like wild dogs or chimps, to Category Three animals such as lemurs.
"We have animal escape procedures which vary according to the species of animal involved," Mr Vervoort said.
"For example, a Category One dangerous animal would be shot by a member of the zoo's firearms team or relevant emergency services on the scene.
"We also have a process around Category Two dangerous animals, which would be to attempt a recapture through directing or shepherding the animal with a vehicle or several staff, and a tranquiliser dart if necessary.
"If a Category Two animal is considered to be threatening a human life, it will be shot."
Category Three animals, considered to have a much lower level of risk to humans, would be returned to its enclosure through whatever means staff had available.
Wellington and Auckland Zoo were also approached by the New Zealand Herald for comment about their emergency procedures, but staff at both zoos said they were unable to comment today as they were tied up moving a giraffe from Auckland to the capital.
Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park declined to comment.
The Cincinnati shooting has sparked an outcry of emotion as mourners called it a "senseless death".
Many are placing the blame squarely on the parents of a 4-year-old boy, who investigators believe crawled through a railing barrier and fell into the gorilla exhibit's moat before he was dragged by Harambe in the water for about 10 minutes.
