Photography by Geoff Cloake, 2018
I grew up by Caroline Bay, and I do not remember penguins being there when I was a kid. One scorching summer evening, my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I went for a late swim. Suddenly, something zipped past us in the water. I remember Chris shrieked in surprise. We had no idea we were sharing the ocean with a group of tiny swimmers and realised they were little blue penguins. At the time, no one knew they had quietly started nesting along our shoreline.
Since then, thanks to dedicated volunteers, community support and thoughtful council action, the area has been fenced and protected to give these birds a safe space. It has become one of Timaru’s best known secrets and a conservation success story. We often take our kids down to Marine Parade to stand quietly and watch the penguins waddle ashore. They are pretty cute. There is usually a respectful crowd gathered. Apart from a few volunteers in high-visibility vests, there is no commercial tourism. The penguins are simply allowed to live their lives while we observe quietly from a distance. For me this is what makes the experience special... to see penguins in the wild, close to home, and for free. Timaru is one of the few places in the world where you can see kororā, (the Māori name for little blue penguins), like this. All you need is warm clothing, patience and a respectful approach.
If you are looking for free, family-friendly fun in Timaru, pop down at dusk from September to March, little blue penguins return from the sea to nest in the rocks at Marine Parade, Caroline Bay...
If you are new to Timau, to get to the parade, you take the first left at the bottom of the Port Loop Road. The area is lit by port security lights. Stay on the footpath or sand and avoid walking on rocks or through marked nesting areas. Penguins return to shore about 30 minutes after sunset.
Little Blue Penguins the smallest penguin species in the world, standing just 30 to 40 centimetres tall,
They can swim up to six kilometres per hour and dive to great depths to find food. They live for about seven years on average, though some reach 20. They make different sounds to call, defend territory, feed their young and reconnect with their mates. Each penguin has up to 10,000 feathers for waterproofing and insulation. Their colouring provides camouflage in the sea from both above and below.
Little blue penguins begin their breeding season around mid-year, with males arriving first to prepare or renovate nests in burrows, rocky crevices or nesting boxes close to the sea. By July or August, pairs typically reunite and lay two eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for about five weeks. Once hatched, chicks are guarded and fed by both adults until they grow their waterproof feathers and become independent, usually between November and January. After the chicks fledge, adult penguins fatten up before moulting in late summer. During this two- to three-week moult, they cannot swim or feed and must remain ashore. Once their new feathers are in, they return to sea to feed, rest and recover before the cycle begins again. Some pairs may raise a second clutch if conditions allow. Throughout the year, they forage at sea by day and return to land at night, navigating by sight, sound and memory to the same nesting areas each season.
To help protect them, follow a few simple guidelines. Do not use flash photography, torches or video lights. Stay off the rocks and behind any barriers or ropes. Remain quiet and do not approach or try to touch the penguins. Never feed them. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 1 October to 31 March, and must be kept on a lead at all times in nearby areas.
Thank you to the volunteers who give their time to protect the penguins and offer this unique tourism offering. Note that the pengiuns are protected by the New Zealand Wildlife Act, and you can be fined if you breach the law.
If you cannot visit in person, you can still enjoy the penguins from home. The Timaru District Council operates a Penguin Cam which streams live from the shore. Visit www.timaru.govt.nz/penguin-cam to check in and watch their comings and goings.
Photography by Geoff Cloake, 2018
Timaru’s coast is full of other wildlife too. While walking the shoreline, keep an eye out for Hector’s dolphins near Caroline Bay and Patiti Point, seals and sea lions resting on the rocks, and even migrating whales and orca during spring and summer. In 2019, a pod of orca swam right into Caroline Bay.
There is a saying in te reo Māori: He kororā, he tohu oranga. The penguin is a sign of life. These birds are an important indicator of ocean health. If their numbers drop, it often means the marine food chain is under stress. By protecting them, we help protect the wider environment that supports so much life along our coast.
Live from Marine Parade: Watch Timaru’s little blue penguins return from the sea each night to nest in the rocks at Caroline Bay. Best viewed from dusk during breeding season (September to March). If you can't get there... Tune into the Timaru Penguin Cam for a front-row seat to one of our town’s cutest wildlife moments. Thanks to the Timaru Suburban Lions, Allied Alarms, PrimePort and the Timaru District Council, you can watch little blue penguins waddle home at dusk and snuggle into their rocky nests. Best viewing is September to March, especially at sunset. It's free, fascinating and a lovely reminder of why protecting our coastline matters. timaru.govt.nz/penguin-cam