News Archive

Precious Westland petrels need our understanding and protection

16th June, 2016

Westland petrel. Photo: Rod MorrisA new report concludes that many threats remain for Westland petrels, which only nest in a few colonies near Punakaiki. (Photo: Rod Morris)

Read more


Southside penguin mortality increases

3rd July, 2016

Fiordland crested penguin dog kill showing wound Southside 3 July 2016 Following the killing by dogs of two blue penguins at Southside, Hokitika, last year, a Fiordland crested penguin was killed there yesterday, also by a dog.

Read more


What prions are and why we should care

10th July, 2016

Fairy-Prion-Whangaroa-July-2014-Les-Feasey-small-393x590Fairy prions are the most beautiful tiny, pale blue and grey seabirds, a cousin of the albatross.  Sadly, they are commonly washed up on our beaches and Alan Tennyson of Te Papa has investigated.

Read more


New penguin brochures inform and invite support

19th July, 2016

Giselle illustration 2 from brochure June 2016With wonderful and generous assistance from Giselle Clarkson and Jase Blair, West Coast Print, and sponsorship from DOC, we have published two new leaflets to raise awareness of our two penguins and to encourage and seek support for the Trust’s work.

Read more


Fiordland crested penguins everywhere

31st August, 2016

Skinny tawaki 3 July 2016A curious and perhaps worrying thing has been happening in recent weeks.  Since 3 July, and after months of not seeing any, nearly 20 tawaki have turned up on beaches between Okarito and Karamea.

Read more


Include a Charity Week

5th September, 2016

West Coast and Coast RoadInclude a Charity’ launched in NZ last year and this year their annual campaign runs from 5 – 11 September.  Its aim is to raise the profile of charitable gifts in Wills and provide an opportunity for charities like ours to convey their importance.

Read more


Tumbleweed Tees for Tawaki!

11th September, 2016

Tumbleweed tees close upTumbleweed Tees have created a stunning Fiordland crested penguin or tawaki image for their tee shirts and will donate $5 to the Trust for every adult shirt sold.

Read more


Annual Report celebrates progress for penguins

23rd May, 2017

Gari as a juvenile penguin cThe West Coast Penguin Trust bases its conservation work on sound science.  That science continues to underpin improved understanding of the threats facing penguins and seabirds in the region for improved conservation management, and the Annual Report, published today, updates readers on all of our projects.

Read more


Why are penguins black (or blue) and white?

29th June, 2017

Penguins of Madagascar snip penguin camouflageThe long standing theory of penguin camouflage is debunked by scientist Dr Thomas Mattern in an excellent blog and video article.

Read more


Study into the effects of artificial lights on seabirds

12th July, 2017

Westland petrel, nzbirdsonline, Patrick Shortley cWhile light pollution is a growing concern around the world, a wide ranging three year study funded by the European Union, including a “global review of seabird mortality in relation to land-based artificial lights” has identified ways to minimise the negative effect of artificial lights on penguins and shearwaters. Read more