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Penguin of the Year

Maggie takes the title of Penguin of the Year 2024! Maggie Photo

You’ve voted, you’ve shared your thoughts, and campaigned for your favourite. We’re thrilled to announce our newest penguin, Maggie has taken out the title of Penguin of the Year 2024.

The voting was head-to-head between Maggie and Mo right the way through, but Maggie had the winning edge, especially with our onsite voters who visited Penguin Cove over the past week.

Maggie has settled in well to the Penguin Cove lifestyle. She loves swimming in the pool and is always chatting to the other penguins. At feeding time she loves hanging out with the keepers and will say hello even if she isn't feeling particularly hungry.

From all the team at the National Aquarium of New Zealand, including our amazing keepers who take such great care of the smallest penguin in the world – little penguin/kororā, we thank you for your support and getting involved.

The National Aquarium's Little Penguins (Kororā)

Penguiuns

The Little Penguin (Kororā) is the world’s smallest species of penguin and is native to New Zealand (as well as South Australia). Their name is perfect, because Little Penguins only grow to about 30cm tall, and usually only weigh around 1kg.

The National Aquarium is a rehabilitation centre for Little Penguins. Some penguins are brought in because they've been abandoned as chicks, are partially sighted, have become sick in the wild, or have been injured in dog attacks. Some are also missing flippers due to getting caught in fishing nylon.

Once recovered and ready, Little Penguins are sent back out into the wild. But some are unfortunately not strong enough to return to their natural habitats, so they find a permanent home at the Aquarium's Penguin Cove.

We can't wait to show you our world.

Opening Hours

Daily from 9:00am - 5:00pm
(including public holidays)
last entry 4:30pm

Address

Marine Parade, Napier

+64 6 834 1404

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While every endeavour has been taken by the National Aquarium of New Zealand to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, National Aquarium of New Zealand shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith. Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant government agencies. National Aquarium of New Zealand cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. Portions of the information and material on this site, including data, pages, documents, online graphics and images are protected by copyright, unless specifically notified to the contrary. Externally sourced information or material is copyright to the respective provider.

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