Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 29 October 2026
Weighing just 1kg, kororā are the world’s smallest penguin, classified as “at risk – declining”. They’re found in many parts of New Zealand: the country’s entire coastline is kororā habitat.
DOC Marine and Compliance Ranger Cam Hunt says 2025 saw the highest number of recorded dog-on-kororā offences, with 25 – a figure likely to be surpassed this year with 22 incidents logged in DOC’s compliance database through September.
“We’re really concerned to see an upswing in reported attacks: from four reported attacks in 2021 to 28 in 2025. There’s been more than 20 reported to DOC already in 2026.”
Cam says there’s been a noticeable increase in attacks from mid-2025 through mid-2026, particularly in May to September.
“This pattern suggests attacks of this kind are becoming more frequent over time, with a concentration during the winter months from May to August.”
Auckland, as our major population and with extensive coastlines, has seen 26 reported dog-on-kororā incidents since May 2021. Coastal Otago is next, with eight.
In September 2026 alone, there were three reported dog attacks on penguins in different parts of the country – Raglan, Wellington and near Timaru.
“We’re also aware of several incidents potentially involving dogs attacking penguins in October,” Cam says. “And this is just the ones we know about – it’s likely there are others never reported to us.”
It’s difficult to determine what’s causing the increase in reported attacks – it could be increased reporting by the public, or potentially more incidents.
“One trend we can clearly determine is more are being reported to us,” Cam says.
Cam says DOC staff appreciate dogs are members of the family, and they’re New Zealand’s second most popular domestic pet after cats.
But the concerning trend of reported incidents has prompted DOC staff to remind dog owners to be more vigilant with the control of their pets when they’re in coastal areas.
“It’s particularly important at this time of year, when many dog owners like to take advantage of the improving weather and daylight savings to exercise their dogs on New Zealand beaches,” he says.
DOC has a zero-tolerance policy on dog attacks on wildlife – the department will take a prosecution when it has evidence of an attack.
Under the Dog Control Act, DOC can prosecute dog owners whose pets attack or kill protected wildlife. The Act includes harsh penalties – a fine of up to $20,000, the destruction of the dog, and up to three years imprisonment for the owner.
Anyone who sees a dog attack or threaten a penguin – or any other protected wildlife – should call 0800 DOC HOT and report what they’ve seen so DOC can investigate.
City and district councils also record and investigate incidents involving dogs and penguins and information is shared with our district operations staff by organisations working on wildlife protection.
Advice for dog owners
- Only take your dog to beaches where dogs are permitted.
- Visually scan for wildlife on your walk.
- Bring a toy as a decoy.
- Let other dog owners know if you spot wildlife.
- Dog owners must keep their pets on leads or under proper control on all beaches and dune areas, where kororā may nest.
- Don’t exercise your dog off-lead after dark.
- Many coastal species rest or nest in sand dunes and around rocky areas – don’t let your dogs wander there without proper control.
- Don’t let the dog approach wildlife – this includes seals, gulls and shorebirds who need space to rest, eat and raise young.
- Keeping dogs under control in areas they are allowed enables dogs and wildlife to safely share beaches and other places.
- It’s a legal requirement for dog owners to carry a lead in public, even in an off-lead area.
- Dog owners must also be able to call their dog back straight away, not only to protect wildlife but also to keep their dog safe.
- Dog owners should walk their dogs below the hight tide line to avoid kororā burrows.
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Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/30/doc-data-reveals-impact-of-dogs-on-korora/