A Hamilton Zoo staff member has died after being attacked by a tiger.

Emergency Services were called to the Hamilton Zoo at 11am this morning after a zoo keeper had been attacked by a tiger.

Senior Sergeant Juliet Burgess, Waikato District Command Centre says 'The staff member who was attacked by the tiger has died at the scene.”

'This is a tragic incident. It is too early to determine exactly what's happened.”

Senior Sergeant Juliet say they are working with Hamilton Zoo staff and Worksafe NZ to investigate.

Police have not released the name of the zoo keeper.

Hamilton City Council released a statement saying they were "deeply saddened" to confirm the death of a female Hamilton Zoo staff member after an attack by one of the zoo's Sumatran tigers this morning.

"At this point we will not be identifying the staff member who has died. We are working alongside New Zealand Police, Ministry of Primary Industries and Workplace Safety to investigate the circumstances of the incident which has led to one of our staff member's death.

"There are a number of investigations still taking place at the zoo today. We will not be commenting on the events which have led to this tragedy until all relevant investigations have been completed.

The Council confirmed the tiger in the incident was Oz, the zoo's male tiger.

"He is safely contained in his enclosure. All other animals at the zoo are appropriately contained. At no time today have any zoo animals not been contained."

The Council say there has been no risk to visitors at the zoo today or the public.

"Our focus at this time is on providing the adequate support for our staff and family members who have been affected by this tragic incident. Hamilton Zoo will remain closed until Thursday while investigations are completed and arrange for a blessing of the site.

"This is a very difficult situation for all zoo staff, family members of the zoo staff member who has died, their family and the extended zoo family"