Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust
Yellow-eyed penguin and chick

Who are we?

 

Why was the Trust formed?

In 1987 Dunedin conservationists formed the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust with the aim of saving the penguin by restoring coastal forest and controlling predators. The penguin is the focus but the Trust's efforts also benefit other native species of plant and animal.

The Trust is based in Dunedin but manages land and penguin interests in the whole of mainland New Zealand.

 

What is our mission?

"Our Trust values people's commitment to conserving the biodiversity of our coastal environment, focusing on the yellow-eyed penguin"

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What are we currently doing?

In its first 20 years the Trust protected eight habitats, by providing fencing to protect the nests from wandering stock in some areas, and by purchasing three other areas and turning them into penguin reserves.

We have developed our own plant Nursery where plants sourced from local seed, are grown and then planted out in the appropriate habitat to provide more shelter and better nesting sites for the penguins.

Yellow-eyed penguin on the beach

 

The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is a conservation organisation highly respected by the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Conservation for its work in the preservation of the rare and endangered yellow-eyed penguin.

Current Key tasks include:

  • Revegetation
  • Predator trapping
  • Public awareness
  • Education

 

Where are we going from here?

The Trust's first twenty years have seen the penguin population increase, yet they are still a long way from being a self-sustaining population. This has been a joint effort between the Trust, Department of Conservation, private landowners, scientists and individuals. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust looks forward to the day when we and other penguin conservationists have made ourselves redundant.

 

What is the problem?

In the 1980s research on the Otago Peninsula showed that the penguin population had declined severely, and that the yellow-eyed penguin was now considered to be an endangered species. This was due to severe predation and loss of habitat.

This unique penguin is found only along New Zealands south islands' eastern coastline, as far north as Banks Peninsula and as far south as Stewart Island and beyond to Campbell Island. The Yellow-eyed penguin is a black and white bird with distinct yellow eye stripes. It is a very secretive bird that nests away from others amongst dense vegetation normally raising two chicks every year.

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Trustees 2007/8

  • Peter Simkins
  • Euan Kennedy
  • Lala Frazer
  • Margaret Murrell
  • Pat Mark
  • Ruth Littlewood
  • Eric Shelton
  • Paul Donohoe
  • Pieter Demmers
  • Adrian Christie(Treasurer)
  • Karen Hartshorn

YEPT Staff, Trustees & Patron

Trustees & Staff photo 2007
Back Row: David McFarlane, Euan Kennedy, Alan Wright, Pieter Demmers, Anton Oliver (Patron), Lady Beverley Reeves (Original Patron), Lala Frazer, Paul Donohoe,
Front Row: Pat Mark, Peter Simkins, Ruth Littlewood, Anita Pillai, Sue Murray, Margaret Suman, Margaret Murrell.
Not present: Eric Shelton, Jason Pitchers, Karen Hartshorn, Leith Thomson, Sandy King, Joanna Wright, Glennys Fuller.

Staff 2007

  • Sue Murray, Executive Officer
  • David McFarlane, Field Officer
  • Leith Thomson, Field Assistant
  • Anita Pillai, Nursery Co-manager
  • Margaret Suman, Nursery Co-manager
  • Sandy King, Project Officer Southern Islands
  • Joanna Wright, Field Assistant Stewart Island

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The Original Trustees were:

Roy Broad, John Darby, Lyn Dowsett, Paul Every , Lala Frazer, Warren Hurley, Christine Johnston, Euan Kennedy, John Langley, Heather McKay, Moira Parker, and Alan Wright.