A little blue penguin climbs up over rocks on the seashore

Funded Project

Kororā Monitoring and Research at Pōhatu/Flea Bay

Supported by

Long-Term Penguin Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand, funded by EcoZip Adventures

This long-term conservation project focuses on protecting Canterbury’s endemic white-flippered penguin. Led by the Helps Pōhatu Conservation Trust, the programme combines scientific research, habitat restoration, predator control, and community education at one of mainland New Zealand’s largest kororā colonies.

Thanks to funding from Moana Mark partner EcoZip Adventures, this project has ongoing support to continue tracking, nest monitoring, and long-term population studies.

Scientists still know relatively little about kororā population trends and behaviour at sea. Long-term monitoring helps researchers understand:
- Where penguins forage
- How breeding success changes over time
- The effects of climate change and predators
- Which habitats need protection

At Pōhatu/Flea Bay, researchers monitor over 230 nest boxes and use GPS tracking to study penguin behaviour on land and at sea.
Research activities include:
- Tracking foraging routes
- Monitoring breeding success
- Tagging adults and fledglings
- Predator control and habitat restoration
- Penguin health and survival studies

The project helps scientists understand how kororā interact with their marine environment and how changing ocean conditions may affect survival.
Research findings support studies into:
- Marine habitat use
- Diet and behaviour
- Population trends
- Climate and environmental impacts
The programme also supports university research partnerships across New Zealand.

Long-term monitoring helps conservationists make informed decisions about predator management, habitat restoration, and marine protection.
The programme also raises awareness through education, outreach, and community involvement — demonstrating the value of long-term kaitiakitanga and conservation action.

Your donation supports researchers and students working to protect one of Aotearoa's most beloved seabirds.

Project Timeline

The programme is currently in its fourth field season and continues year-round with:

GPS tracking
Nest monitoring
Habitat restoration
Predator trapping
Community outreach

The project is designed to continue long-term, with permit renewal planned for 2031.

Dr. Rachel Hickcox, Lead Researcher

Dr. Rachel Hickcox is a conservation biologist specialising in penguin movement ecology and marine habitat use. She leads the Pōhatu kororā research programme, overseeing monitoring, marine tracking studies, and conservation management.

Rachel is also a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Canterbury researching Antarctic marine predators.

Supported by EcoZip Adventures

Funding Long-Term Kororā Conservation

EcoZip Managing Director Gavin Oliver says the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to regenerative tourism and practical environmental action.
“This project stood out immediately. It’s long-term, science-led, and deeply rooted in place. It reflects exactly the kind of impact we believe tourism should be supporting.”