A small penguin of New Zealand coasts, with a blue-toned back and white underparts.
The dark grey bill has a slightly hooked tip. Males are a little larger than females and have more robust bills.
Little Penguins in New Zealand return ashore under darkness to rest or breed. During annual moult they remain on land while replacing their feathers.
For roughly two weeks they neither swim nor feed while the new waterproof coat develops. Safe terrestrial shelter supports this part of the annual cycle.
Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour provides refuge during breeding and moult. Elsewhere DOC supports community protection using fencing and nest boxes alongside predator management.
New Zealand conservation status (DOC account) · At Risk–Declining · New Zealand
New Zealand pressures include introduced predators, vehicles, boats, set-net entanglement and loss of coastal nesting sites. Fencing and nest boxes help protect nesting and moulting habitat.