93-717: Waitati , from the Māori Waitete , is a small seaside settlement in Otago , New Zealand, within the city limits of Dunedin . It is located close to the tidal mudflats of Blueskin Bay , 19 kilometres north of the Dunedin city centre. The small Waitati River flows through the bay to the sea. The Dunedin–Waitati Highway section of State Highway 1 , formerly and colloquially called Dunedin Northern Motorway , ends at Waitati;
186-656: A 30 km radius of their nest. Research conducted on the Philip Island colony found the spatial segregeation of foraging behaviour was primarily determined by age rather than biological sex. In long lived species such as seabirds, it is during the middle age of their lifetimes where they are expected to be in the best physical condition. This is why in Eudyptula minor , middle aged individuals foraged at greater distances from their nests and were able to dive greater distances Older penguins are found to forage closer to
279-439: A Labour stronghold. Since 2008 the rest of Otago has been divided between the large rural electorates of Waitaki , which also includes some of the neighbouring Canterbury Region , and Clutha-Southland , which also includes most of the rural part of the neighbouring Southland Region. The Waitaki electorate has traditionally been a National Party stronghold and is currently held by Miles Anderson . The Southland electorate, also
372-602: A National Party stronghold, is currently represented by Joseph Mooney . The earlier Otago electorate existed from 1978 to 2008, when it was split and merged into Waitaki and Clutha-Southland. Two list MPs are based in Dunedin – Michael Woodhouse of the National Party and Rachel Brooking of the Labour Party. One-time Labour Party Deputy Leader David Parker is a former MP for the Otago electorate and currently
465-549: A Presbyterian girls' and boys' school in the city. Unlike other major cities in New Zealand, Dunedin does not have any private intermediate or high schools, as all remaining private intermediate and high schools have been integrated into the state system. 45°52′50″S 170°29′46″E / 45.88056°S 170.49611°E / -45.88056; 170.49611 Little Penguin The little penguin ( Eudyptula minor )
558-642: A change of gravel in their enclosure. It is still not known what caused the deaths of the penguins, and it was decided not to return the 12 surviving penguins to the same enclosure where the penguins became ill. A new enclosure for the little penguin colony was opened at Sea World in 2008. In New Zealand, Eudyptula penguin exhibits exist at the Auckland Zoo , the Wellington Zoo , the International Antarctic Centre and
651-421: A high incidence of feldspar . Fossils of the late and middle Triassic Warepan and Kaihikuan stages are found in the area. Weather conditions vary enormously across Otago, but can be broken into two broad types: the coastal climate of the coastal regions and the more continental climate of the interior. Coastal regions of Otago are subject to the alternating warm and dry/cool and wet weather patterns common to
744-447: A large group after dusk and walk along the shore to reach their nesting sites. This may be an effective predator avoidance strategy by traveling in a large group simultaneously. This has not been seen by those of the New Zealand lineage. Eudyptula minor only recently encountered terrestrial vertebrate predators, while Eudyptula novaehollandiae would have had to deal with carnivorous marsupials . Eudyptula minor breeds along most of
837-530: A list MP. Under the Māori electorates system, Otago is also part of the large Te Tai Tonga electorate, which covers the entire South Island and surrounding islands, and is currently held by Te Pāti Māori Party MP Tākuta Ferris . Three of the 18 Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga (councils) are based in the Otago Region. Each one is centred on a coastal marae, namely Ōtākou , Moeraki and Puketeraki at Karitane . There
930-468: A major oil spill with the grounding of the Rena off New Zealand in 2011, which killed 2,000 seabirds (including little penguins) directly, and killed an estimated 20,000 in total based on wider ecosystem impacts. Oil spills are the most common cause of the little penguins being admitted to the rehabilitation facilities at Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP). These oil spill recurrences have endangered not just
1023-570: A mixed economy. Dunedin is home to manufacturing, publishing and technology-based industries. Rural economies have been reinvigorated in the 1990s and 2000s: in Clutha district, farms have been converted from sheep to more lucrative dairying. Vineyard planting and production remained modest until the middle of the 1990s when the New Zealand wine industry began to expand rapidly. The Central Otago wine region produces wine made from varieties such as
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#17327874298091116-624: A population of 573 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 60 people (11.7%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 72 people (14.4%) since the 2006 census . There were 231 households, comprising 276 males and 297 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.93 males per female, with 120 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 51 (8.9%) aged 15 to 29, 327 (57.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 72 (12.6%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 90.1% European/ Pākehā , 12.6% Māori , 1.6% Pasifika , 2.6% Asian , and 5.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
1209-400: A season. Double brooding is more likely to occur in individuals who lay their first clutch, prior to mid-September. While there is some inter annual variability, the most common period for little penguins to lay their first clutch in spring, mid-September is considered early and gives species time left in the season to lay a second clutch of eggs after the first have fledged Double brooding
1302-559: A second containing little penguins of Australia and the Otago region of New Zealand. Preliminary analysis of braying calls and cluster analysis of morphometrics partially supported these results. A 2016 study described the Australian little penguin as a new and separate species, Eudyptula novaehollandiae . E. minor is endemic to New Zealand, while E. novaehollandiae is found in Australia and Otago. A 2019 study supported
1395-471: A separate species. Eudyptula minor feathers are dense in melanosomes which attribute to both their strength to swim fast through the water, and its unique blue colour. The little penguin was first described by German naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster in 1781. Several subspecies are known, but a precise classification of these is still a matter of dispute. The holotypes of the subspecies E. m. variabilis and Eudyptula minor chathamensis are in
1488-499: A small foraging range, and therefore higher possibility of competition when prey availability is more scarce Particularly during breeding season when energy demands for both parents and chicks are at their highest, in order to survive Eudyptula minor adapt to these constraints by increasing the plasticity and variability in their foraging behaviour, which includes spatial, age, or diet based segregation During chick rearing, parents will make on average one day long foraging trips within
1581-483: A small influx at this time. The early and middle years of the twentieth century saw smaller influxes of immigrants from several mainland European countries, most notably the Netherlands . In line with the region's Scottish heritage, Presbyterianism is the largest Christian denomination with 17.1 percent affiliating, while Catholicism is the second-largest denomination with 11.5 percent affiliating. The seat of
1674-440: A special character based on a religious or philosophical belief that has been integrated into the state system, but still charge "attendance dues" to cover the building and maintenance of school buildings. These schools are not owned by the government, but otherwise they like state schools cannot charge fees for tuition of domestic students but may request a donation. As Dunedin was founded by Presbyterian Scottish settlers there are
1767-591: Is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council . It has an area of approximately 32,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi), making it the country's second largest local government region. Its population was 257,200 in June 2024. The name "Otago" is the local southern Māori dialect pronunciation of " Ōtākou ",
1860-412: Is a behaviour which its onset can be strongly influenced by sea surface temperature, age and food availability Warmer sea surface temperature in summer and autumn corellated with earlier laying of first clutch of eggs increasing the chances of double brooding. In contrast, in New Zealand it was observed that during periods of El Niño Southern Oscilation where colder temperature water was being brought to
1953-459: Is a full primary school serving years 1 to 8, with a roll of 66 students as at August 2024. The school's history dates back to 1864. Former Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei lives in Waitati. [REDACTED] Media related to Waitati at Wikimedia Commons Otago Otago ( / ə ˈ t ɑː ɡ oʊ / , / oʊ -, ɒ -/ ; Māori : Ōtākou [ɔːˈtaːkou] )
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#17327874298092046-622: Is also the Arai Te Uru Marae in Dunedin. The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Otago was estimated at NZ$ 14.18 billion in the year to March 2020, 4.38% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $ 58,353 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 1.25 billion (9.8%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 2.38 billion (18.6%), service industries contributed $ 8.05 billion (63.0%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 1.10 billion (8.6%). Otago has
2139-527: Is available. When prey is larger and individuals are only catching 1-2 items at a time, they are more likely to hunt alone to reduce competition, whereas smaller and more mobile prey, or schooling prey species, promote group hunting to enable efficient encirclement. The Oamaru colony predominantly feeds on smaller schooling species such as sprat and gudgeon, while penguins from the Stewart/Codfish Island colonies more often hunt alone. The latter
2232-592: Is home to a branch of the Dunedin Public Libraries, Blueskin Nurseries, a local school , a cafe and general store, and several holiday homes. Waitati-Doctors Point is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 2.69 km (1.04 sq mi), and had an estimated population of 660 as of June 2024, with a population density of 245 people per km. It is part of the much larger Mount Cargill statistical area . Waitati had
2325-518: Is known is colonies in New Zealand commonly consist of smaller fragmented groups in comparison to Australias larger colonies, some with <10 breeding pairs, this is largely attributed to NZs fragmented coastline separating the larger colonies. This is commonly seen in Kaikoura where 6-7 smaller colonies have been found along 1.7% of coastline Little penguins are central place foragers, meaning they will travel distances to forage but always return to
2418-483: Is likely linked to a predominantly cephalopods diet (58% of prey items at < 10 gm each). Rising ocean temperatures has seen a trend towards earlier onset of breeding in Eudyptula minor but this does not always align with the availability of their prey. This is because higher sea surface temperatures are associated with early onset of nesting, but also associated with lower nutrients and oxygen availability. During
2511-521: Is not considered endangered in New Zealand, with the exception of the white-flippered subspecies found only on Banks Peninsula and nearby Motunau Island . Since the 1960s, the mainland population has declined by 60-70%; though a small increase has occurred on Motunau Island. A colony exists in Wellington Harbor on Matiu / Somes Island . Protestors have opposed the development of a marina at Kennedy Point, Waiheke Island in New Zealand for
2604-399: Is part of the reason why Central Otago vineyards are successful in this region. This inland region is one of the driest regions in the country, sheltered from prevailing rain-bearing weather conditions by the high mountains to the west and hills of the south. Summers can be hot, with temperatures often approaching or exceeding 30 degrees Celsius; winters, by contrast, are often bitterly cold –
2697-456: Is set in an area of native bush here. Doctors Point Beach is a sandy southern beach that is home to a breed of blue penguins and other wildlife. Waitati Film Society screens films every second Tuesday night during most of the year (every Tuesday night in the middle of winter). Waitati is part of New Zealand's "Transition Towns initiatives", initiative, using some Transition Towns techniques and patterns for energy descent . Waitati School
2790-405: Is the smallest species of penguin . It originates from New Zealand . It is commonly known as the fairy penguin , little blue penguin , or blue penguin , owing to its slate -blue plumage and is also known by its Māori name kororā . It is a fossorial bird. The Australian little penguin ( Eudyptula novaehollandiae ), from Australia and the Otago region of New Zealand, is considered
2883-501: Is thought to be some of the main reasons for increased vulnerability in the future. The threats it provides include nest and habitat distruption, as well as deadly to eggs and individuals, despite this Eudyptula minor appears to show no fear towards fire when directly exposed. When observed, they have been to found to remain around or under vegetation until severely burnt or injured. Some have even been observed preening their feathers near to open flames. Fires can also significantly alter
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2976-485: The Eudyptula minor colonies currently facing decline The data shows highest level of penguin mortality is caused by roadkill, likely due to many of the colonies being close to coastal highway. To mitigate this issue, a penguin-proof fence was erected in 2019 across 3.3 km of highway where road kill was most prevalent, no roadkill deaths have been recorded since its implementation The risk of fire damage to habitats in Philip Island has been partially mitigated through
3069-458: The Eudyptula novaehollandiae the lineage of little blue penguins which inhabit Australian and Otago regions, there is not evidence to suggest this is an established behaviour within Eudyptula minor , however double broods are occasionally noticed among the colonies in the Kaikoura coastline It is unsure yet whether this is means double brooding is a genetically mediated behaviour. There is also an uneven distribution of research carried out across
3162-728: The National Aquarium of New Zealand . Since 2017, the National Aquarium of New Zealand, has featured a monthly "Penguin of the Month" board, declaring two of their resident animals the "Naughty" and "Nice" penguin for that month. Photos of the board have gone viral and gained the aquarium a large worldwide social media following. In the United States, Eudyptula penguins can be seen at the Louisville Zoo
3255-554: The Ngāi Tahu iwi or tribe. Other significant ethnic minorities include Asians, Pacific Islanders, Africans, Latin Americans and Middle Easterners. Otago's early waves of settlement, especially during and immediately after the gold rush of the 1860s, included a substantial minority of southern ( Guangdong ) Chinese settlers, and a smaller but also prominent number of people from Lebanon . The region's Jewish population also experienced
3348-548: The Pinot noir , Chardonnay , Sauvignon blanc , Merlot and Riesling grapes. It has an increasing reputation as New Zealand's leading Pinot noir region. Otago has numerous rural primary schools, several small town primary and secondary schools, and some larger schools in Dunedin . Most are state schools which do not charge tuition, except for international students. Some are state integrated schools, former private schools with
3441-609: The Taronga Zoo in Sydney . Enclosures include nesting boxes or similar structures for the animals to retire into, a reconstruction of a pool and in some cases, a transparent aquarium wall to allow patrons to view the animals underwater while they swim. Eudyptula penguin exhibit exists at Sea World , on the Gold Coast, Queensland , Australia. In early March 2007, 25 of the 37 penguins died from an unknown toxin following
3534-587: The University of Otago , was founded in 1869 as the provincial university in Dunedin. The Province of Southland separated from Otago Province and set up its own Provincial Council at Invercargill in 1861. After difficulties ensued, Otago re-absorbed it in 1870. Its territory is included in the southern region of the old Otago Province which is named after it and is now the territory of the Southland region. The provincial governments were abolished in 1876 when
3627-576: The Abolition of the Provinces Act came into force on 1 November 1876, and were replaced by other forms of local authority, including counties. Two in Otago were named after the Scottish independence heroes Wallace and Bruce . From this time the national limelight gradually shifted northwards. Otago's flag was chosen from a 2004 competition. It was designed by Gregor Macauly. Beginning in
3720-902: The Murihiku terrane , an accretion which extends inland through the Hokonui Hills in the Southland region. This itself forms part of a larger system known as the Southland Syncline , which links to similar formations in Nelson (offset by the Alpine Fault ) and even in New Caledonia , 3,500 km (2,200 mi) away. The Catlins ranges are strike ridges composed of Triassic and Jurassic sandstones , mudstones and other related sedimentary rocks, often with
3813-596: The Oamaru colony of Eudyptula minor , however in 1995 the availability of species from 20% in December to 0% in January the following year. Penguins were able to successfully adapt and their diet instead began to consist of slender sprat and pigfish If penguins produce a second clutch of eggs in a season once the first chicks have fledged, this is known as double brooding. Thus far this behaviour has only been observed in
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3906-637: The Otago Regional Council is in Dunedin. The council is chaired by Andrew Noone as of July 2021 . There are five territorial authorities in Otago: Otago is represented by four parliamentary electorates . Dunedin and nearby towns are represented by the Dunedin electorate, held by Rachel Brooking , and the Taieri electorate, occupied by Ingrid Leary . Both MPs are members of the Labour Party, and Dunedin has traditionally been
3999-600: The ability to reclaim success early suggests it is likely that successful double brooding is a behaviour that improves with age. Another influencing factor is the availability of food, for larger colonies such as the Philip Islands, competition for food can increase significantly during the breeding season, particularly if there is variability in the amount of prey available. If this competition results in aggression between adults this can also influence ability to successfully raise chicks, and be able to successfully breed in
4092-432: The arrival of the Australian species in New Zealand was determined to have occurred roughly between AD 1500 and 1900. When the E. minor population declined in New Zealand, it left a genetic opening for E. novaehollandiae . The decrease of E. minor was most likely due to anthropogenic effects, such as being hunted by humans as well as introduced predators, including dogs brought from overseas. It has been determined that
4185-623: The block mountains impede and dilute the effects of the Nor'wester . The main Central Otago centres, such as Alexandra and Cromwell , are found in the intermontane basins between the block mountains. The schist bedrock influence extends to the eastern part of Otago, where remnant volcanics mark its edge. The remains of the most spectacular of these are the Miocene volcanics centred on Otago Harbour . Elsewhere, basalt outcrops can be found along
4278-407: The breeding season parents are restricted to a short foraging area close to their nest and are therefore vulnerable to small regional changes. La Niña Southern Oscilation events increasing the sea surface temperature along the New Zealand coastline caused prey such as schooling fish and krill to either become more regionally scarce or migrate to new habitats. Grahams Gudgeon once dominated the diet of
4371-605: The broad high valley of the Strath-Taieri in its upper reaches, and the fertile Taieri Plains as it approaches the ocean. Travelling east from the mountains, the Central Otago drylands predominate. These are Canterbury-Otago tussock grasslands dominated by the block mountains, upthrust schist mountains. In contrast to Canterbury, where the Northwest winds blow across the plains without interruption, in Otago
4464-425: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 40,458 (19.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 106,080 (52.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 43,974 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 39,100, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 19,692 people (9.7%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
4557-453: The census's question about religious affiliation, 61.3% had no religion, 24.1% were Christian , 1.6% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.5% were Hindu , 1.0% were Buddhist and 4.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 201 (44.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (9.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 93 people (20.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
4650-538: The chin to the belly. Their flippers are blue in colour. The dark grey-black beak is 3–4 cm long, the irises pale silvery- or bluish-grey or hazel, and the feet pink above with black soles and webbing. An immature individual will have a shorter bill and lighter upperparts. Like most seabirds, the Eudyptula species have a long lifespan. The average for the species is 6.5 years, but flipper ringing experiments show that in very exceptional cases they may live up to 25 years in captivity. Eudyptula minor does not have
4743-632: The coast and at other sites. Comparatively similar terrain exists in the high plateau land of the Maniototo Plain , which lies to the east of Central Otago, close to the upper reaches of the Taieri River. This area is sparsely populated, but of historical note for its importance during the Otago gold rush of the 1860s. The townships of Ranfurly and Naseby lie in this area. In the southeastern corner of Otago lies The Catlins , an area of rough hill country which geologically forms part of
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#17327874298094836-503: The coastline of New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands . However, Eudyptula minor does not occur in Otago , which is located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island . The Australian species Eudyptula novaehollandiae occurs in Otago. E. novaehollandiae was originally endemic to Australia. Using ancient-DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating using historical, pre-human, as well as archaeological Eudyptula remains,
4929-525: The collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa . The white-flippered penguin ( E. m. albosignata or E. m. minor morpha albosignata ) is currently considered by most taxonomists to be a colour morph or subspecies of Eudyptula minor. In 2008, Shirihai treated the little penguin and white-flippered penguin as allospecies . However, as of 2012, the IUCN and BirdLife International consider
5022-859: The composition of vegetation in Eudyptula minor habitats. A large fire in Marion Bay, South Australia in 1994 saw the loss of two key plant species; introduced marram grass Ammophila and coastal wattle A.sophorae . Following the fire, these grasses were replaced by invasive palms A.arenia and A.sophorae grew back in dense thickets. This habitat became no longer suitable for Eudyptula minor and colony relocated. Eudyptula species are classified as "at risk - declining" under New Zealand's Wildlife Act 1953 . Overall, little penguin populations in New Zealand have been decreasing. Some colonies have become extinct, and others continue to be at risk. Some new colonies have been established in urban areas. The species
5115-462: The country from the southwest. A common variant in this pattern is the centring of a stationary low-pressure zone to the southeast of the country, resulting in long-lasting cool, wet conditions. These have been responsible for several notable historical floods, such as the "hundred year floods" of October 1878 and October 1978. Typically, winters are cool and wet in the extreme south areas and snow can fall and settle to sea level in winter, especially in
5208-447: The country's hydroelectric power. Vineyards and wineries have been developed in the Central Otago wine region . Some parts of the area originally covered by Otago Province are now administered by either Canterbury Regional Council or Southland Regional Council . Like the rest of mainland New Zealand, Otago was first settled by the Māori people . Most of the Māori settlement in Otago
5301-489: The development in New Zealand of environmental education . Waitati has no sewerage system, and has become a centre in New Zealand for the development of composting toilets and other alternative sewage disposal systems. Some villagers are edible garden and alternative energy enthusiasts. Waitati has become an arrival point for German immigrants to New Zealand and has a high proportion of Germans and German New Zealanders . The Orokonui Ecosanctuary wildlife sanctuary
5394-420: The diet of the Philip Island colony has diversified to include selections of cephalopods and krill during the post guard stage of their life cycle where greater amounts of energy is required for chick development and egg production, resident penguins predominantly rely on anchovies when more energy is required. The nature of their diet also impacts foraging methods, which may vary by colony depending on what food
5487-494: The distinct bright blue feathers that distinguish Eudyptula novaehollandiae. In addition, the vocalisation patterns of the New Zealand lineage located on Tiritiri Matangi Island vary from the Australian lineage located in Oamaru . Females are known to prefer the local call of the New Zealand lineage. There are also behavioural differences that help differentiate these penguins. Those of the Australian lineage will swim together in
5580-640: The focus of the Otago Association , an offshoot of the Free Church of Scotland , notable for its adoption of the principle that ordinary people, not the landowner, should choose the ministers. Major centres include Dunedin (the principal city), Oamaru , Balclutha , Alexandra , and the major tourist centres Queenstown and Wānaka . Kaitangata in South Otago is a prominent source of coal . The Waitaki and Clutha rivers provide much of
5673-493: The greatest terrestrial risk to little penguins and include cats, dogs, rats, and particularly ferrets and stoats . As examples significant dog attacks have been recorded at the colony at Little Kaiteriteri Beach, and a suspected stoat or ferret attack at Doctor's Point near Dunedin , New Zealand, claimed the lives of 29 little blue penguins in November 2014. Little penguin populations have been significantly affected by
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#17327874298095766-472: The highway continues north from here at a slightly lower grade of construction with more frequent intersections and accesses. Three km to the north, the highway ascends the notorious Kilmog hill. The Main South Line railway curves from east to north through Waitati. The old station yard remains as a train crossing loop and parts of the old station building are used by rail maintenance workers. Waitati
5859-412: The hills and plains of South Otago . More Central and Northern Coastal areas winter is sunnier and drier. Summers, by contrast, tend to be warm and dry, with temperatures often reaching the high 20s and low 30s Celsius. In Central Otago cold frosty winters are succeeded by hot dry summers. Central Otago's climate is the closest approximation to a continental climate anywhere in New Zealand. This climate
5952-521: The interannual Southern oscillation . The Southern Hemisphere storm track produces an irregular short cycle of weather which repeats roughly every week, with three or four days of fine weather followed by three or four days of cooler, damp conditions. Drier conditions are often the result of the northwesterly föhn wind, which dries as it crosses the Southern Alps . Wetter air is the result of approaching low-pressure systems which sweep fronts over
6045-514: The little penguins, but the entire penguin population. This can further decline the population, which can lead to possible extinction. Increased frequency of drought and extreme temperatures in Southern Australia has led to an increased fire risk. Being flightless birds that nest on land, little blue penguins are especially vulnerable to fire. Behavioural traits such as reluctancy to abandon nests and emerging mostly during daylit hours
6138-580: The name of the Māori village near the entrance to Otago Harbour . The exact meaning of the term is disputed, with common translations being "isolated village" and "place of red earth", the latter referring to the reddish-ochre clay which is common in the area around Dunedin . "Otago" is also the old name of the European settlement on the harbour, established by the Weller Brothers in 1831, which lies close to Otakou . The upper harbour later became
6231-404: The next season. During the breeding season, Eudyptula minor are central place foragers, this means that they travel within their home range to find food, but will return to their nest to feed both themselves and their chicks. Their foraging range is limited by how long chicks can fast, and the high energetic of costs of constant travelling for individuals. Such a behaviour has resulted in both
6324-472: The office of provincial Superintendent after the New Zealand provinces were created in 1853. The Otago Province was the whole of New Zealand from the Waitaki River south, including Stewart Island and the sub-Antarctic islands. It included the territory of the later Southland Province and also the much more extensive lands of the modern Southland Region . Initial settlement was concentrated on
6417-543: The planting of fire-resistant indigenous vegetation in and around the nesting sites. Thus far this planting has occurred primarily in the <10% of the colony most visible from tourist look-out points In 1997 in NSW, the Eudyptula minor was listed as an endangered species under the endangered species act 1995. Since then conservation efforts such as public education, nest monitoring and labelling it as ‘critical habitat’ were implemented. Despite these efforts, this mainland colony
6510-625: The population of Eudyptula novaehollandiae in Otago arrived even more recently than previously estimated due to mulitlocus coalescent analyses. Outside of the Otago region, all colonies are expected to belong to the sub species Eudyptula novaehollandiae Many of these colonies are smaller and more patchily distributed than larger Eudyptula minor colonies that exist in Australia and Otago. Extensive research exists on Philip Island and Oamaru colonies as they are sites of large colonies which attract large groups of tourists Population size and trends of colonies in New Zealand remain poorly documented, what
6603-540: The population of the Queenstown-Lakes District grew by 60% due to the region's booming tourism industry. Otago had a population of 240,900 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 15,714 people (7.0%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 38,430 people (19.0%) since the 2013 census . There were 118,524 males, 121,185 females and 1,188 people of other genders in 94,425 dwellings. 4.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
6696-691: The population resides in the Dunedin urban area—the region's main city and the country's sixth largest urban area. For historical and geographical reasons, Dunedin is usually regarded as one of New Zealand's four main centres. Unlike other southern centres, Dunedin's population has not declined since the 1970s, largely due to the presence of the University of Otago – and especially its medical school – which attracts students from all over New Zealand and overseas. Other significant urban centres in Otago with populations over 1,000 include: Queenstown , Oamaru , Wānaka , Port Chalmers , Cromwell , Alexandra , Balclutha , Milton and Mosgiel . Between 1996 and 2006,
6789-464: The port and city, then expanded, notably to the south-west, where the fertile Taieri Plains offered good farmland. The 1860s saw rapid commercial expansion after Gabriel Read discovered gold at Gabriel's Gully near Lawrence , and the Otago gold rush ensued. Veterans of goldfields in California and Australia, plus many other fortune-seekers from Europe, North America and China, poured into
6882-647: The recognition of E. minor and E. novaehollandiae as separate species. This IUCN assessment treats Eudyptula minor and Eudyptula novaehollandiae as just one species. Are used interchangeably throughout report to specify location, however are considered a part of the same species Like those of all penguins , the wings of Eudyptula species have developed into flippers used for swimming. Eudyptula species typically grow to between 30 and 33 cm (12 and 13 in) tall and on average weigh 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). The head and upper parts are blue in colour, with slate-grey ear coverts fading to white underneath, from
6975-524: The region's current official boundaries put much of that river's catchment in Canterbury . The country's fourth-longest river, the Taieri , also has both its source and outflow in Otago, rising from rough hill country and following a broad horseshoe-shaped path, north, then east, and finally southeast, before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Along its course it forms two notable geographic features –
7068-545: The risk it poses to little penguins and their habitat. Protesters claimed that they exhausted all legal means to oppose the project and have had to resort to occupation and non-violent resistance. Several arrests have been made for trespassing. The West Coast Penguin Trust and DOC have worked in collaboration to maintain data on penguin mortality, the West Coast South Island colonies are highlighted as one of
7161-440: The same nest or colony. They are also a species where both parents are required to raise chicks, and alternate foraging trips while the other is guarding and incubating the nest during the post guard stage. These stints can last anywhere between 1–10 days during incubation. Despite nesting on the shore, little penguins forage at sea and feed on a diet ranging from small schooling fish, to cephalopods, krill, and microzooplankton. As
7254-403: The sea floor. Foraging efficiency has been found to be significantly influenced by age. Foraging success appears to stabilise selection for middle-aged penguins, as feeding is a learnt behaviour but also requires good physical condition. For the Philip Island and other Southern Australian colonies, anchovies are the primary food source. Anchovies are rich in oils and nutritional value. Although
7347-421: The shore than middle aged adults When foraging in groups, they were also observed to all be of a similar age cohort, likely that when the prey available is small schooling prey and is more advantageous for penguins to forage as a group If the groups are segregated by age, this is likely because they are at the same foraging ability and occupy the same approximate range Introduced mammalian predators present
7440-406: The sources of the Clutha / Matau-au, the largest river (by discharge) in New Zealand. The Clutha flows generally to the southeast through Otago and discharges near Balclutha . The river has been used for hydroelectric power generation, with large dams at Clyde and Roxburgh . The traditional northern boundary of the region, the Waitaki River , is also heavily utilised for hydroelectricity, though
7533-423: The species is widely distributed across a range of habitats in New Zealand and Australia, variation in diet and foraging choice has also arisen. Important little penguin prey items include arrow squid , slender sprat , Graham's gudgeon , red cod , and ahuru . Little penguins feed by hunting small clupeoid fish, cephalopods , and crustaceans , for which they travel and dive quite extensively, including to
7626-468: The sub species of little penguin the Eudyptula novaehollandiae are disproportionally researched more than others because they occur in large colonies which such as the Philip Island penguin parade, and the Oamaru penguin colony which have attracted international and local tourism and are understanding their behaviours are important to economic success In a study carried out on Oamaru penguin colony found double broods to increase breeding success by up to 75%
7719-406: The surface there was a delay in the onset of breeding for the Eudyptula novaehollaniae , thus resulting in a lower incidence of double brooding in the Otago colonies. Age is also believed to be a factor effecting double brooding because the pairs successfully able to double brood were most commonly strategic in reclaiming successful nests and pair-bonds. Little penguins show a high nest fidelity, and
7812-532: The then Province of Otago, eroding its Scottish Presbyterian character. Further gold discoveries at Clyde and on the Arrow River around Arrowtown led to a boom, and Otago became for a period the cultural and economic centre of New Zealand. New Zealand's first daily newspaper, the Otago Daily Times , originally edited by Julius Vogel , dates from this period. New Zealand's first university,
7905-414: The township of Ranfurly in Central Otago holds the New Zealand record for lowest temperature with a reading of −25.6 °C on 18 July 1903. Otago Region covers 31,186.16 km (12,041.04 sq mi). The population is 257,200 as of June 2024, which is approximately 4.8 percent of New Zealand's total population of 5.3 million. The population density is 8.2 people per km . About 41.5 percent of
7998-689: The west, the geography of Otago consists of high alpine mountains. The highest peak in Otago (and highest outside the Aoraki / Mount Cook area) is Mount Aspiring / Tititea , which is on the Main Divide . From the high mountains the rivers discharge into large glacial lakes. In this part of Otago glacial activity – both recent and very old – dominates the landscape, with large U-shaped valleys and rivers which have high sediment loads. River flows also vary dramatically, with large flood flows occurring after heavy rain. Lakes Wakatipu , Wānaka , and Hāwea form
8091-410: The white-flippered penguin to be a subspecies or morph of the little penguin. Little penguins from New Zealand and Australia were once considered to be the same species, called Eudyptula minor . Analysis of mtDNA in 2002 revealed two clades in Eudyptula : one containing little penguins of New Zealand's North Island , Cook Strait and Chatham Island , as well as the white-flippered penguin, and
8184-566: Was 38.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 37,749 people (15.7%) aged under 15 years, 53,532 (22.2%) aged 15 to 29, 106,926 (44.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 42,690 (17.7%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.2% European ( Pākehā ); 9.9% Māori ; 3.4% Pasifika ; 8.5% Asian ; 2.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
8277-647: Was met with additional challenges from threats from wild dogs and foxes, to lack of available local prey. Species is now listed as at-risk declining under the same act Zoological exhibits featuring purpose-built enclosures for Eudyptula species can be seen in Australia at the Adelaide Zoo , Melbourne Zoo , the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra , Perth Zoo , Caversham Wildlife Park (Perth), Ballarat Wildlife Park , Sea Life Sydney Aquarium , and
8370-557: Was spoken by 97.5%, Māori language by 1.9%, Samoan by 0.6% and other languages by 11.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 23.8, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 28.4% Christian , 1.0% Hindu , 0.8% Islam , 0.2% Māori religious beliefs , 0.7% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.3%, and 6.6% of people did not answer
8463-413: Was that 101,514 (50.0%) people were employed full-time, 31,086 (15.3%) were part-time, and 4,848 (2.4%) were unemployed. The majority of the population of European lineage is of Scottish stock—the descendants of early Scottish settlers from the early 19th century. Other well-represented European groups include those of English, Irish, and Dutch descent. A large proportion of the Māori population are from
8556-501: Was that 225 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 78 (17.2%) were part-time, and 18 (4.0%) were unemployed. For many years Waitati has been known for its appeal to those who pursue an alternative lifestyle . The Waitati Militia, a mock combat group, was founded here, and the village featured in the history of the Values Party , Mushroom magazine and anti Vietnam War and Aramoana aluminium smelter protests, as well as
8649-840: Was upon the coast and centred around the Otago Peninsula . The Otago settlement, an outgrowth of the Free Church of Scotland , was founded in March 1848 with the arrival of the first two immigrant ships from Greenock on the Firth of Clyde — the John Wickliffe and the Philip Laing . Captain William Cargill , a veteran of the Peninsular War , was the secular leader. Otago citizens subsequently elected him to
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