About us

Why was the Trust formed?

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

So it was in 1987 that Dunedin conservationists formed the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust with the aim of saving the penguin by restoring coastal forest and controlling predators.

Where is the Trust based?

The Trust Office is based in Dunedin but manages land and penguin interests in the whole of mainland New Zealand. The Plant Nursery is based at Company Bay, Otago Peninsula.

What is our brand statement?

“Committed to creating natural environments where threatened yellow-eyed penguins can thrive”

What does our brand mean?

PENGUINS – PEOPLE – PLANTS – PASSION

• Committed to protecting endangered yellow-eyed penguins

• People are crucial to creating natural environments where yellow-eyed penguins can thrive

• To inspire people to plant our coastlines and learn about rare and endangered yellow-eyed penguins

• Passionate about saving yellow-eyed penguins and the environment in which they live

Who are we?

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

What have we achieved?

In its first 20 years the Trust protected yellow-eyed penguin habitats along the Otago and Southland coastline, by providing fencing to protect the nests from wandering stock, planted trees and shrubs, and purchased other areas for penguin reserves.

The plant Nursery, first established in 1989, has propagated more than 80,000 native trees and shrubs sourced from local seed and then planted them out in the appropriate habitat to provide more shelter and better nesting sites for the penguins.

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.

Trustees and 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.

Trustees

• Peter Simpkins (Chairperson)
• Adrian Christie (Treasurer)
• Pieter Demmers
• Lala Frazer
• Euan Kennedy
• Ruth Littlewood
• Pat Mark
• Mike Morrison
• Margaret Murrell
• Eric Shelton

Staff

• Sue Murray, General Manager
• David McFarlane, Field Manager
• Leith Thomson, Ranger
• Anita Pillai, Nursery Manager
• Toby Bulow, Nursery Assistant
• Sandy King, Project Officer Southern Islands
• Jenny Winter, Office Administrator

The Original Trustees were:

John Darby, Lyn Dowsett, Paul Every , Lala Frazer, Warren Hurley, Christine Johnston and Moira Parker.