Blue (or little) penguins don't make for easy viewing as they live underground and undertake all of their land-based activities under the cover of darkness, but fortunately there are a few places one can see them around New Zealand. Because we have been staying in the Pohatu Penguins’ team’s sleep-out after our campervan broke down, they invited us to do something a little different with them from this afternoon into the evening. The advice from the Department of Conservation (DOC) comes after the discovery of a dead little blue penguin on the bay on Tuesday morning. The white flippered penguins are a variant of the blue penguins and they all belong to the same specie "australasian little penguin", the smallest in the world!! The discovery of a dead little blue penguin on Caroline Bay has authorities asking people to report any other bird deaths. Blue Penguin viewing tours are at dusk when penguins come ashore and make their way to their nests where they feed their chicks or roost. The discovery of a dead little blue penguin on Caroline Bay has authorities asking people to report any other bird deaths. Little (Blue) Penguins - Eudyptula minor: Penguins and Penguin Conservation. "We believe that conservation is about people." Explore the beautiful deep harbour that is home to Little Blue Penguins, marine birds and the largest population of Hector’s Dolphins in the world. Little blue penguins are monogamous most of the time. Penguins in New Zealand - Penguin viewing sites. Kayak around the wild volcanic outer coast of Pohatu Marine Reserve and observe the amazing wildlife such as Little Penguins, New Zealand Fur Seal colonies, Hectors' Dolphins and many sea birds species. Money raised from the tours is reinvested in to the wildlife reserve to assist with the preservation and protection of Pilots Beach and its Little Blue Penguin colony. Today, we are going for a tour of the Banks Peninsula, as well as release some little blue penguins … Little blue penguins are monogamous most of the time, and they are strongly attached to their partners, although still there are a few cases of “divorce”. Be transported along Otago Peninsula to discover Kororā, the Little Blue Penguin, the world’s smallest penguin, in their natural habitat – scurrying up to their cliff-face burrows at Pilots Beach on the Otago Peninsula. Official web site of the International Penguin Conservation Work Group, it offers an insight into the world of penguins, and the research, captive breeding and conservation efforts being carried out to save penguins world-wide. Dark slate-blue on the face extends to just below the eye. Some have argued that the white-flippered penguin (Eudyptula minor albosignata), found mainly on Banks Peninsula and Motunau Island, is a separate species. Little blue penguins are monogamous most of the time. The little penguin is the smallest penguin. The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (BPCT) was formed in 2001. More about Sea Kayaking Tours They also swim out in the bay in large coordinated groups. Conservation based tours include: -Evening penguin tours -Scenic nature safaris (2 or 4 hours) -Sea-kayaking with seals and other wildlife -24 or 48 hour package including accommodation in the middle of the penguin colony The little penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the smallest species of penguin.It grows to an average of 33 cm (13 in) in height and 43 cm (17 in) in length, though specific measurements vary by subspecies. They can be seen clustered in the undergrowth of the surrounding hills, up to 700 m from the shore. Little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) - White-flippered population, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand (NZ) stock photo. Meet the world’s smallest penguin - visit Otago Peninsula’s Kororā Little Blue Penguin Colony for a sunset tour and unique local experience. Little blue penguins are monogamous most of the time, and they are strongly attached to their partners, although still there are a few cases of “divorce”. In more recent years Environment Canterbury and the Christchurch City Council have contributed to the trapping and monitoring effort and penguins number have boomed. Here at Pohatu we have the biggest colony of little penguins on the mainland of NZ. Blue (or little) penguins don't make for easy viewing as they live underground and undertake all of their land-based activities under the cover of darkness, but fortunately there are a few places one can see them around New Zealand. Pohatu penguins is a family owned business that offers 4WD safaris trip to the Largest Little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. Penguins in New Zealand - Penguin viewing sites. Surrounded by natural wonders, this historical French settlement is your basecamp for exploring the Banks Peninsula. The project began for the protection of breeding sites of pelagic bird species such as the endemic little blue penguin, the only titi (sooty shearwater) colony in Canterbury, and yellow-eyed penguin at their northern breeding range. About 2,600 korora (white flippered penguins) and some yellow-eyed penguins breed at Pohatu – the largest little penguin colony on the mainland.