Little Blue Penguins are expected to hit the beaches in the Bay of Plenty over the holiday season, along with the annual influx of human visitors, warns DOC.

'The young Kororā / little blue penguins are arriving at Bay of Plenty beaches for rest and relaxation this time of year”, says Department of Conservation Ranger Pete Huggins. 'The adults will also be turning up for their annual moult. You might see them sitting under a rock or a bush, losing all their waterproof feathers, which they'll slowly replace over a few days or more.”

'Penguins often look a little bored when they come ashore, but unless they're obviously injured you can rest assured they're okay. But if you see a penguin with a serious physical injury then call the DOC HOTline number, which is 0800 362 468”.

DOC staff will respond to penguins which are injured, e.g. an animal wounded by a dog, but advise people to leave uninjured penguins alone.

The little blue penguin / kororā is at the end of its breeding season about now, and the juvenile birds have fledged and taken to the sea for the first time.