DOC Urges Vigilance as Dog Attacks on Kororā Rise

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has released new data showing that reported dog attacks on protected kororā (little blue penguins) continue to rise each year.

In a media release dated 29 October 2026, DOC Marine and Compliance Ranger Cam Hunt said reported attacks climbed from four in 2021 to 28 in 2025, the highest number recorded. That figure is likely to be surpassed this year, with 22 incidents logged in DOC's compliance database through September. In September 2026 alone, three dog attacks on penguins were reported in different parts of the country: Raglan, Wellington and near Timaru. DOC is also aware of several incidents in October potentially involving dogs.

Incident patterns and regional hotspots

Weighing just 1kg, kororā are the world's smallest penguin and are classified as "at risk – declining". The country's entire coastline is kororā habitat.

DOC says there has been a noticeable increase in attacks from mid-2025 through mid-2026, with a concentration during the winter months from May to August. Auckland, with its large population and extensive coastline, has seen 26 reported dog-on-kororā incidents since May 2021, followed by Coastal Otago with eight.

DOC says it is difficult to determine what is causing the increase — it could be more reporting by the public, or more incidents — and that the figures only cover attacks reported to it, so others likely go unreported.

Legal penalties and advice for dog owners

DOC has a zero-tolerance policy on dog attacks on wildlife and will prosecute when it has evidence of an attack. Under the Dog Control Act, DOC can prosecute owners whose dogs attack or kill protected wildlife. Penalties include a fine of up to $20,000, destruction of the dog, and up to three years' imprisonment for the owner.

With improving weather and daylight saving bringing more dogs to the beach, DOC's advice for dog owners includes:

• Check access: Only take your dog to beaches where dogs are permitted.
• Keep control: Keep dogs on a lead or under proper control on beaches and in dune and rocky areas, where kororā may nest, and walk below the high tide line to avoid burrows.
• No off-lead walks after dark: Don't exercise your dog off-lead after dark.
• Watch for wildlife: Scan ahead, bring a toy as a decoy, and let other dog owners know if you spot wildlife. It is a legal requirement to carry a lead in public, even in an off-lead area.
• Report it: Anyone who sees a dog attack or threaten a penguin or other protected wildlife should call 0800 DOC HOT.

For beach access and owner obligations, see our guide to pet-friendly beaches in NZ and our overview of NZ pet laws and rules.

Sources

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2026-media-releases/doc-data-reveals-impact-of-dogs-on-korora/