With more penguin species gracing our shores than any other country, New Zealand is a top destination for penguin spotting. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the world's rarest penguin.
Penguins are flightless seabirds that live almost exclusively below the equator – mostly, in Antarctica. New Zealand’ s proximity means that thirteen of the world’s eighteen penguin species have been spotted in New Zealand waters. But there are three species that call New Zealand home: little blue penguins, Fiordland crested penguins, and yellow-eyed penguins.
Little blue penguins are the smallest penguins in the world. These little guys weigh about one kilogram, the same as a bag of sugar. Compare that with the biggest emperor penguins, which weigh up to thirty kilograms, roughly the same as a large dog.
Blue penguins swim all-round New Zealand’s coasts. From August to March, they come ashore to breed. You will find them nesting in holes and crevices among the rocks of the North, South, and Stewart Islands.
The best way to see them is on a guided tour. Both Timaru Penguins(opens in new window) and Pōhatu Penguins, based on the east coast of the South Island, offer excellent tours of some of the country’s largest colonies.
The yellow-eyed penguin is an odd-looking bird. It is tall and portly, with pink feet and striking yellow eyes. It can also be quite loud – particularly during breeding season, when they sing duets during courtship rituals. For this reason, Māori called them hoiho, meaning 'noise shouter'. Unique to New Zealand, the yellow-eyed penguin is thought to be the rarest penguin in the world. It can be found on the south-eastern coastline of the South Island, Stewart Island, and the subantarctic islands. However, the easiest way to see them is on a guided tour by The OPERA(opens in new window), a charity based on the Otago Peninsula, which is home to the only mainland breeding colony. Clearwater Wildlife Tours also offer small group tours to see yellow-eyed penguins and other wildlife on a private family farm on the Otago Peninsula.
These amazing creatures with bristly yellow eyebrows are found only in remote areas of the South Island, such as the west coast, Stewart Island, and parts of Fiordland. If you want to see them, your best bet is to take a boat cruise through Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound.
Keep our penguins safe by giving them space. Be sure to put your dog on a leash in areas where there are penguins. It you see a scruffy looking bird; they are probably just moulting. If you have any concerns or notice a sick or injured bird, please contact the Department of Conservation(opens in new window) on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
