Penguin of the Year - who will it be?
For just over a year now the National Aquarium of New Zealand’s crowd-pleasing Little Penguins have been attracting worldwide attention for their antics (some good, some bad).
Now is your chance to vote for your flippered favourite in the first ever National Aquarium of New Zealand Penguin of the Year Awards.
For the past year keepers at the National Aquarium have been voting on who deserves the titles good and naughty penguin each month. Timmy and Betty were the inaugural winners in June 2017 and when their photos were posted on Facebook for the first time the whole world took notice, with Timmy as naughty penguin of the month capturing special interest.
Followers of the Aquarium’s Facebook and Instagram pages eagerly await the messages each month, says Kerry Hewitt, National Aquarium Acting Manager. “Over a year on, the Little Penguins are as popular as ever, with lots of people specifically coming to see the penguins as a result of the social media posts. Many of them are also taking up the opportunity to have a very special penguin encounter where they can feed the penguins, and learn about conservation and the challenges penguins face in our environment.”
These special penguins really have captured the hearts of Facebook followers, and enabled the aquarium to share its conservation messages, he adds.
All of the Little Penguins at the National Aquarium are there because they need help from the National Aquarium’s specialist staff. They have been brought in because they have been abandoned as chicks, are partially sighted, have become sick in the wild, or been injured in dog attacks. Some of them are missing flippers due to getting caught in fishing nylon.
The National Aquarium is a rehabilitation centre for most of the Little Penguins, sending them back out into the wild when they are recovered and ready. Some penguins are unfortunately not strong enough to return to their natural habitats, so they find a permanent home there.
The first round of voting to select the top two finalists is open from today until 10 October on the National Aquarium’s website - click here to vote - where you can also learn more about the National Aquarium’s Little Penguins, and what makes each of them special.
Two finalists will then be announced for the public to vote on, through a poll on social media platforms. The announcement of Penguin of the Year is due to be made on 31 October.
30 July 2019
Nowhere else in New Zealand will you discover a wider range of marine animals and native species in a single facility than at the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
For Napier City residents and citizens to have easy access to see what council are currently working on, completed, what they do, facilities, and council information.
The Faraday Centre in Napier, is Hawke's Bay's Museum of Technology. It's a place of discovery where history comes alive through hands on experience.
Located in the Art Deco city of Napier. We have worked closely with our builders to promote and develop high quality housing within an open-aspect environment.
Comprising a Museum, Theatre and Gallery - MTG is home to a significant collection of objects that form the foundation of distinctive exhibitions, a world-class research facility and the MTG Theatre.
We offer an all purpose built venue that uniquely combines spectacular outlooks with functional layout.
Strive to Inspire, Educate and Entertain by providing access to information through various resources within our Libraries. We aim to provide more than you expect.
Located on Marine Parade, Napier, is the Bay Skate Park - home to skateboarding, BMX, roller derby, inline hockey and scootering.
We are Hawkes Bay's premier holiday accommodation park providing an array of facilities to keep the entire family entertained.
Situated in the centre of Napier, in the middle of Onekawa Park, the Napier Aquatic Centre is a safe and affordable aquatic facility for everyone.
Visit the Napier i-SITE to find out more about what is happening in Hawkes Bay, from events, activities and accommodation.
Unique Art Deco heritage has been preserved with the skilful addition of modern theatre facilities making it the best provincial performing arts centre in the nation.
Come to Par2 MiniGolf and meet Seamore the Seagull at our sea-side minigolf courses. Challenge your friends and family for a round.