New Zealand supports more than 90 breeding species of seabird - but almost a third of those are threatened, and more than half of the others are at risk.
Massey University Professor Dr John Cockrem will talk about one such species - little blue penguins - in Whanganui's Davis Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm on February 12.
Kororā (little penguin, also known as the little blue penguin or blue penguin, Eudyptula minor) are found along all New Zealand's coasts. They are declining and have disappeared from many places.
The main cause of their decline is predation by dogs. Effective dog control and habitat protection are needed to ensure they survive.
Cockrem has 30 years' experience in penguin research, and kororā is his main study species. He finds ways to establish populations, and advocates for their conservation.