Blue Penguins Pukekura

Blue Penguins Pukekura Discover Kororā, the world's smallest penguin, in their natural habitat at Takiharuru, Pukekura.

Takiharuru is the whenua of Turūnaka Korako Karetai, who was the heir of Pukekura Ariki, Karetai.

Avian influenza has now been identified in Aotearoa (New Zealand), so let's equip ourselves with knowledge about this vi...
26/07/2026

Avian influenza has now been identified in Aotearoa (New Zealand), so let's equip ourselves with knowledge about this viral disease.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 is a highly infectious viral disease, of which birds are the primary hosts. Incursions occur due to the return of migratory birds, such as hākoakoa (Subantarctic skua), a top avian predator, who typically spend the summer breeding season on the Subantarctic Islands and Rēkohu (Chatham Islands), before migrating north to spend the winter at sea.

The most likely routes of H5N1 infection are saliva, nasal secretions, and faecal-oral transmission. Since the goose/Guangdong-lineage of H5N1 was catapulted onto the global health stage in 1996, H5N1 has killed wild birds and poultry, and mammals, including dairy cattle, cats, Southern elephant seals and sea lions.

The bird species most susceptible to H5N1 are ducks, swans and geese (Anseriformes) and gulls, terns and shorebirds (Charadriiformes). Since its outbreak, penguins (Spheniscidae) have also been affected, including King penguins, Adélie penguins, Gentoo penguins, African penguins and Humboldt penguins.
Clinical signs of H5N1 infection in penguins includes eye mucus discharge, cloudy eyes, apparent blindness, lethargy, an inability to stand, panting, head or whole-body tremors, head tilt, dorsal neck flexion (bending the head forward), oscillations of the eyes, and seizures.

H5N1 infecting humans is rare. Most confirmed cases were linked to people who had intimate contact with infected birds.

Can you expect any changes with Blue Penguins Pukekura tours?

At this time as there have been no confirmed cases of H5N1 within kororā (blue penguins) and no confirmed cases in Ōtākou (Otago), we are operating as per normal with our dusk penguin tours, which are conducted primarily outside on a specialised platform.

What can you do to help?

- Stay on designated boardwalks and pathways when viewing wildlife.
- Do not touch any deceased birds or seals.
- Ensure your dogs are on leashes in potentially infected areas, so they cannot interact with deceased wildlife.
- If you find any deceased wildlife, contact the Ministry for Primary Industries - Biosecurity New Zealand's Exotic Pest and Disease on 0800 80 99 66; the Department of Conservation on 0800 362 468; and the Ministry for Health on 0800 400 569.

Photos: Oscar Thomas and Sian Mair.

Breeding is once again underway with kororā (blue penguins) at Pukekura (Taiaroa Head)! These small (about 30 centimetre...
25/07/2026

Breeding is once again underway with kororā (blue penguins) at Pukekura (Taiaroa Head)!

These small (about 30 centimetres tall) and mighty penguins are one of only four penguin species that can double clutch. This means pairs can raise up to four chicks in one year (two eggs per clutch). When the chicks hatch they weigh about 45 grams. They grow rapidly - up to one kilogram in five weeks!

As part of our multifaceted conservation mahi (work), this is one of the pairs our team are monitoring at Blue Penguins Pukekura (composed of the Korako Karetai Trust and the Otago Peninsula Trust). These parents are currently in the guarding stage - for the first two to three weeks, they take turns staying in the nest to protect the chicks from predators and keep them warm, while the other hunts.

Photos: Sian Mair.

Mānawatia a Matariki (Happy Māori New Year)!Takiharuru (Pilots Beach) at Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) is whānau-owned land. S...
09/07/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki (Happy Māori New Year)!

Takiharuru (Pilots Beach) at Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) is whānau-owned land. So, we at Blue Penguins Pukekura (composed of the Korako Karetai Trust and the Otago Peninsula Trust) are excited to celebrate Matariki!

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of whetū (stars) that rises in mid-winter in Aotearoa New Zealand, marking the Māori New Year. It is a time for: Matariki Hunga Nui (Remembrance), Matariki Ahunga Nui (Celebrating the Present), and Matariki Manako Nui (Looking to the Future).

Each of the iwa (nine) whetū (stars) in the cluster is connected and defined with a purpose.
- The tahi (first) star Matariki is considered the mother of the waru (eight) whetū (stars) in the constellation and is connected to health and wellbeing.
- The rua (second) star is Pōhutukawa, which is connected to those who have passed away. Look upon this star in reflection and remembrance of loved ones who have passed.
- The toru (third) star is Tupuānuku, which is associated with food grown in the ground.
- The whā (fourth) star is Tupuārangi, which is associated with food that comes from the sky, such as berries and fruits, and is linked to birds.
- The rima (fifth) star is Waitī, which is connected to fresh water and all the living creatures that call it home.
- The ono (sixth) star is Waitā, which is associated with the moana (ocean) and kaimoana (seafood) gathering.
- The whitu (seventh) star is Waipunarangi, which is connected to the rain, as rain is vital to all life on Papatūānuku (Earth).
- The waru (eighth) star is Ururangi, which is connected to the wind.
- The iwa (ninth) is Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, which is connected to the promise of a prosperous season. This star is connected to setting goals and resolutions for the year to come.

If you look to the east before sunrise this week, you should see Te Waka o Rangi (the Canoe of Rangi) rising over the horizon. Tautoru (Orion's Belt) sits at the kei (stern) of Te Waka o Rangi and Matariki sits at the ihu (bow).

20/06/2026

We are often asked about whether the red lighting and soft white lighting surrounding our viewing platform disturbs our kororā (blue penguins) eyes. We can confidently say no.

The wellbeing of our kororā is our top priority; as evidenced by the fact that our colony has grown from six breeding pairs in the 1980's to about 250 breeding pairs in 2026.

*Unlike depicted in the video, the lighting surrounding our viewing platform does not flash.

11/06/2026

We've got exciting news!

On the 1st of Hōngongoi (July), Blue Penguins Pukekura (comprised of the Korako Karetai Trust and the Otago Peninsula Trust) is launching a new Behind the Scenes Tour!

For any adults curious to see the heart and inner workings of the largest kororā (blue penguin) colony in Ōtepoti (Dunedin), this tour is for you!

What it entails:

Beginning about one hour earlier than our one-and-a-half hour Penguin Guided Tour, you will be guided around Takiharuru (Pilots Beach), (of which is restricted to the general public being a wildlife sanctuary), with the very people who care for the kororā, their habitat, and the surrounding ecosystems.

Be immersed in this intimate wildlife experience, where you will learn more about kororā biology, behaviour, and evolution; cultural stories connected to this special whenua (land); and the native flora at Takiharuru.

Click here to book: https://www.bluepenguins.co.nz/behind-the-scenes. Bookings are recommended.

07/06/2026

Happy World Oceans Day!

Did you know… The moana (oceans) is of particular significance to Māori, as indigenous kaitiaki (guardians). In Māoridom, the moana is linked with identity, well-being, and prosperity.

Videos: Sian Mair. Kororā (blue penguin) filmed responsibly while on duty.

07/06/2026

Happy World Oceans Day!

Today is about acknowledging the vital role the moana (oceans) play in all of our lives, and promoting conservation of the moana.

Did you know… Since the Industrial Revolution in 1760, the moana has absorbed one third of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity and 90% of the atmosphere’s excess heat?

Videos: Sian Mair. Kororā (blue penguin) filmed responsibly while on duty.

With World Environment Day on the 5th and World Ocean Day on the 8th, the news of Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia - five new ma...
04/06/2026

With World Environment Day on the 5th and World Ocean Day on the 8th, the news of Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia - five new marine protected areas (MPAs) coming into force in Ōtākou (Otago) is wonderful! This is the culmination of a collaborative partnership between the tribe Kāi or Ngāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation.

The name Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia refers to Kāi Tahu's connections to the moana (sea) and voyages of their tūpuna (ancestors) across Te Waipounamu (the South Island). It also honours Te Rakihouia, the son of the great explorer Rākaihautū, and the first known human to journey around the coastline of the South Island.

These five new Type 1 MPAs, of which are no-take areas, will cover 308 square kilometres or four percent of the Otago coastal marine area.

As Otago is home to some of the world's rarest wildlife, this is an important step towards conserving these vulnerable species!
This includes kororā (blue penguins) - they are the world's smallest penguins and are classified as At Risk - Declining; hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) - world's rarest penguins and are classified as Nationally Endangered; pakake (New Zealand sea lions) - world's rarest sea lions and are classified as Nationally Endangered; and toroa (Northern royal albatross) - Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) is the only mainland breeding colony in the world and they are classified as Nationally Vulnerable.

Photos: Sian Mair. Taken from a safe distance and zoomed in on.

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1240 Harington Point Road
Dunedin
9077

Telephone

+64278400413

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