New Zealand is home to many fascinating species, one of which is the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor). Little blue penguins, known as ‘kororā’ in Māori, can be found in various coastal areas in New Zealand.
They are housed in regions pinned as key locations to observe them in their natural habitat. These penguins possess a unique charm that attracts local and international wildlife enthusiasts.
Are you interested in them? Read along and get to know these adorable members of the wild!
Regions in New Zealand Shelter Little Blue Penguins
Want to visit these penguins? Here are regions in New Zealand that serve as homes to these species and a stage to admire their life and habitat!
North Island: Waiheke Island and the Coromandel Peninsula
Waiheke Island
One prominent spot is the Kennedy Point Marina. The penguins here rest under boats and live in secluded areas.
With that, Kennedy Point is funded for conservation and habitat protection. The construction of establishments and other human activities are limited and discouraged to protect penguins.
Best time to observe: You can observe them at dusk when they are most active and return to their nests after feeding on fish.
Coromandel Peninsula
Colonies of little blue penguins reside in beach burrows, cliff crevices, and even on baches (holiday homes).
Nesting range: Up to 100 meters from the shoreline.
Best time to visit: It’s recommended to go either in the morning or evening as penguins travel between their nests and the sea.
South Island: Ōamaru and the Banks Peninsula
Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony is one of the most popular sites for penguin viewing in New Zealand. The location hosts up to 800 penguins, including the little blue penguins.
They offer tours, especially in November and December, which is their breeding season. It is located along the Waitaki coast and can be easily found with the help of its museum and Victorian architectural landmarks.
Banks Peninsula and Pohatu Marine Reserve
Nestled near Akaroa, Pohatu Marine Reserve is another known reserve sheltering the largest little blue penguin colony in New Zealand.
The penguins mainly nest on Flea Bay. It is accessible through 4WD, and tours typically occur around September.
Fun Facts About Little Blue Penguins in New Zealand
Every species of penguin varies in traits, behavior, origin, and physical aspects. Here are some fun facts about the little blue penguins for you to get to know them better!
Scientific Details
- Species Name: Eudyptula minor (meaning “good little diver”).
- Size: Standing at only 25–30 cm tall and weighing about 1 kg. Deemed the world’s smallest penguin species.
- Lifespan: Little blue penguins live 6 to 8 years on average, but those living in the wild can live up to 20 years.
- Color: They have slate-blue feathers and use them to camouflage underwater.
General Facts
- Food: Little blue penguins feed mainly on small fish, squid, and krill. They are excellent food hunters that can dive up to 30 meters.
- Nesting: When nesting, they create their burrows in rocky crevices, sandy dunes, under vegetation, and even man-made structures sometimes.
- These penguins are nocturnal on land. They leave their shelter at dawn and wait till sunset to return. This is a practice they do to avoid predators.
- They use various vocalizations to communicate. This includes cooing, brays, and growls. They make these sounds to communicate with mates and chicks.
History in New Zealand
Little blue penguins (kororā) have been in New Zealand’s coastal ecosystem for thousands of years, witnessing the rich history of New Zealand’s wildlife. Based on fossil traces, it is assumed that their ancestors diverged millions of years ago and adapted to warmer Australasian climates.
Pre-European arrival, before human settlement, these penguins had a wide population with little predation.
Polynesian and European settlers introduced predators such as dogs, rats, cats, stoats, and more. This started the decrease of the penguins’ population, along with habitat destruction.
In the modern era, awareness of their declining population was recognized, which encouraged the establishment of marine reserves, predator control programs, and other conservation efforts.
Current Status of Little Blue Penguins in New Zealand
The little blue penguin population in New Zealand is affected even now due to habitat destruction, predation, and drastic climate changes.
Although classified as not a major concern, the decline in their numbers, especially on the mainland, is given attention. Here are some of the main threats to these penguins:
- Predators: Stoats, weasels, feral cats, and domestic dogs.
- Human Activities: Coastal development and pollution.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels and warming oceans.
New Zealand has initiated conservation efforts to address this issue. Targets are mainly to eliminate invasive species from their habitats (e.g., Predator-Free 2050), promote sustainable penguin watching, and aid abandoned, weak, or injured chicks before releasing them to the wild.