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.

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.

It was a pleasure having local legends Elliot, Daniel, Hannah, Ellie and Amelia out on a Blue Penguins Pukekura Tour! Th...
01/06/2026

It was a pleasure having local legends Elliot, Daniel, Hannah, Ellie and Amelia out on a Blue Penguins Pukekura Tour!
The Pukekura Trust (composed of the Korako Karetai Trust and the Otago Peninsula Trust) wanted to ka pai (praise) their harakore (honesty)!

On the 19th of May, the friends were walking back to Hannah's flat after the University of Otago’s capping show. They happened upon an unexpected scene.
The till from Sal's Pizza had been stolen and then abandoned on the pavement, with approximately $760.00 surrounding it. As university students are typically not flush with cash, it may have been tempting to pocket some of the money - instead they immediately notified the Police.

Doing good does pay off.

Photo: Ellie, Daniel, Amelia, Hannah and Elliot by Sian Mair.

Rā unofficial Whānau (Happy Birthday) King Charles! In Aotearoa (New Zealand), the birthday of the reigning King or Quee...
01/06/2026

Rā unofficial Whānau (Happy Birthday) King Charles!
In Aotearoa (New Zealand), the birthday of the reigning King or Queen is celebrated on the 1st of June. King Charles was actually born on the 14th of November 1948.

In March 2005, on the day pictured, then-Prince Charles, a long-time conservationist and albatross enthusiast, met the royals of the bird world - toroa (Northern royal albatross) and Head Ranger Lyndon Perriman at the The Royal Albatross Centre at Pukekura (Taiaroa Head).

Lyndon Perriman, who is now the benevolent overlord at Blue Penguins Pukekura, began working at the Royal Albatross Centre as a teenager. He then graduated to become the Head Ranger with toroa until he left the role in 2016. From the late 1980's, Lyndon oversaw the toroa colony grow from ten chicks fledging each season (leaving the natal site), to over 25 chicks fledging each season.

Pukekura is home to toroa, kororā (blue penguins), tarāpunga (red-billed seagulls), tarāpuka (black-billed seagulls), kōtuku ngutupapa (royal spoonbills), kekeno (New Zealand fur seals), pakake (New Zealand sea lions), and other unique creatures. It is no wonder why King Charles came to visit!

Photo: Craig Baxter.

29/05/2026

Today is World Sea Lion Day! A day to raise awareness about the conservation of sea lions and their vital role in marine ecosystems.

Worldwide there are six sea lions species: the pakake/New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) - classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; Australia sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) - classified as Endangered; Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) - classified as Endangered; California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) - classified as Least Concern; Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) - classified as Near Threatened; and South America sea lion (Otaria byronia) - classified as Least Concern.

When viewing sea lions in the wild, show these remarkable animals respect by giving them at least 10 meters of space.

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

28/04/2026

We are very saddened to learn about the kororā (blue penguin) colony at Long Beach (Warauwerawera) being wiped out by a likely dog attack.

Kororā stand at only about 30 centimetres tall; therefore, their burrows are often indiscernible beneath flora. As is the case with numerous other bird nests on the beach, such as tōrea pango (variable oystercatchers).

At beaches where signage states there is vulnerable wildlife, it is essential to keep dogs on leashes. If we work together, penguins, other wildlife and dogs can safely share beaches.

For the article click here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/suspected-dog-attack-wipes-out-long-beach-penguin-colony-near-dunedin/I3TML5D755CX7BGK45CAGX3GDY/

Birds, including kororā (blue penguins), and mammals have a protective integument, composed of skin and either feathers,...
26/04/2026

Birds, including kororā (blue penguins), and mammals have a protective integument, composed of skin and either feathers, fur or hair. Feathers need to be well maintained, as penguins are reliant on them throughout their annual life cycle.
Like our favourite items of clothing, feathers degrade over time and need to be replaced. This process is known as a catastrophic moult.

Penguin moults are catastrophic because they loose all of their feathers in one concentrated timeframe, typically between two to three weeks. In preparation for their moult, kororā will aim to double their body mass by accumulating endogenous protein (which supports fasting energy expenditure) and lipid (fats) reserves. Penguins will remain on land and fast while they are moulting, during which they will loose 40 - 50% of their pre-moult weight.

Once a moult begins, it cannot be paused. Therefore, it is essential that kororā have gained enough weight beforehand and are left undisturbed throughout this vulnerable period. Continual disturbance may lead to penguins overexerting themselves, burning their energy reserves and decreasing their chances of survival post-moult.
The influencing factors that activate their moult include: sea surface temperature (SST), high prey availability, individual body condition and photoperiod (day-length).

The various functions feathers provide penguins include:
~ Flight - while penguins cannot fly, they have specialised flight feathers to reduce hydrodynamic drag, to enhance swimming efficiency.
~ Thermoregulation - the ability to regulate their body temperature.
~ Camouflage - the ability to blend into their environment.
~ Waterproofing - for insulation to keep them warm.
~ Sexual or territorial displays.

Photos: Sian Mair and Danni Rae. Taken while on duty.

Today, the 25th of April, is World Penguin Day! At Blue Penguins Pukekura (composed of the Korako Karetai Trust and the ...
24/04/2026

Today, the 25th of April, is World Penguin Day! At Blue Penguins Pukekura (composed of the Korako Karetai Trust and the Otago Peninsula Trust) we love to celebrate the amazing Spheniscidae family!
There are 18 penguin species in the world. From smallest to largest they are:

1. Kororā / blue penguins or little penguins: Found in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and southern Australia. They stand at about 30 cm tall and weigh about 1 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are also the only penguin species that has blue and white plumage.
2. Galápagos penguins (banded group): Found in the Galápagos archipelago. They stand between 49 to 53 cm tall and weigh about 2.5 kg. They are classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are the only penguin species found north of the equator.
3. Northern Rockhopper penguins (crested group): Found on islands in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They stand at about 55 cm tall and weigh between 2 to 3.8 kg. They are classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
4. Southern Rockhopper penguins (crested group): Found on islands in the South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They stand at about 55 cm tall and weigh between 2 to 3.8 kg. They are classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
5. Tawaki / Fiordland penguins (crested group): Found in the southern West Coast of Aotearoa and on Rakiura / Stewart Island. They stand at about 60 cm tall and weigh about 4 kg. They are classified as 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
6. Pokotiwha / Snares penguins (crested group): Found on the Tini Heke / Snares Islands (about 100 km south of Stewart Island). They stand at about 60 cm tall and weigh between 2.7 to 4.5 kg. They are classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
7. Tawaki nana hī / Erect-crested penguins (crested group): Found on the Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands (about 700 kilometres east of the South Island) and on the Moutere Māhue / Antipodes Islands (about 860 kilometres south-east of Stewart Island). They stand between 60 to 68 cm tall and weigh between 3.5 to 5.5 kg. They are classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
8. Humboldt penguins (banded group): They are found along the coast in Peru to southern Chile. They stand at 65 cm tall and weigh between 3.6 to 5.8 kg. They are classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
9. Hoiho / Yellow-eyed penguins: Found along the coast in the south eastern South Island of Aotearoa and in the Subantarctic Islands. They stand at 65 cm tall and weigh between 2.3 to 2.5 kg. They are classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are the shyest of all penguins, preferring their own company or their partners. Māori named them "hoiho" because of their loud, shrill call.

10. Royal penguins (crested group): Found only on Macquarie Island, an Australian Subantarctic Island. They stand between 65 to 75 cm tall and weigh between 4 to 5.5 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
11. African penguin (banded group): Found in southern Africa. They stand about 68 cm tall and weigh between 2 to 4 kg. They are classified as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their unique call sounds like a braying donkey, so they are also known as the "Jackass penguin".
12. Magellanic penguins (banded group): They are found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America and the Falkland Islands. They stand about 70 cm tall and weigh about 6.5 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
13. Macaroni penguins (crested group): Found along the coast of the Subantarctic Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. They stand about 70 cm tall and weigh between 3.7 to 6.4 kg. They are classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
14. Adélie penguins (brush-tailed group group): They are found only in the Antarctic region. They stand at 70 cm tall and weigh about 6.5 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
15. Chinstrap penguins (brush-tailed group): Found in the Scotia Sea region and on the northern Antarctic Peninsula. They stand between 68 to 76 cm tall and weigh between 3.2 to 5.3 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
16. Gentoo penguins (brush-tailed group): Found on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland, South Orkney and South Sandwich Islands, as well as Subantarctic Islands across the Southern Ocean. They stand between 75 to 90 cm tall and weigh between 4.5 to 8.5 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
17. King penguins (large group): Found on various Subantarctic Islands, including the Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Island, McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island and South Georgia. They stand between 85 to 95 cm tall and weigh between 9.3 to 18 kg. They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
18. Emperor penguins (large group): Found around the entire coast of Antarctica. They stand between 110 to 130 cm tall and weigh between 20 to 41 kg. They are classified as 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

You can support penguins on World Penguins Day and everyday by donating your time and/or money to penguin conservation charities; by going on ecotours to view penguins - like Blue Penguins Pukekura; and by giving penguins space and respect when viewing them in the wild.

Photos: Oscar Thomas Photography and Sian Mair. All taken from a safe distance.

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Dunedin
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