Penguins 

You cannot help but be charmed by the penguin. These amazing birds have a character all of their own. On the land they have an ungainly waddle, marching upright like self-important little people. But in the water they take on a new grace, diving and swooping with acrobatic agility.

New Zealand has three species of penguin. The korora, or little blue penguin, is the world’s smallest penguin. You’ll find these little birds, usually when they come ashore at night, in the Marlborough Sounds, Akaroa Harbour, Oamaru and Stewart Island.

The rare hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, is distinguished by its vivid yellow eye band. You’ll find them on the Otago Peninsula, just south of Dunedin, and along the South Otago Coast. Dunedin is where you can find one of the best wildlife tours giving you an incredible close up view of the penguins, sea lions and fur seals in their natural habitat.

And last, but not least, there’s the Fiordland crested penguin. One of the world’s rarest, this beautiful bird lives in the deep south of the South Island, in the remote wilderness of Fiordland and Stewart Island.