A new family fun day in Mount Maunganui is aimed at raising awareness of one of New Zealand’s most at risk species that nests at the base of Mauao.

The inaugural Waddle The Mount event on Saturday, March 29 is a new addition to the Sustainable Backyards calendar, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The charity event will see participants walking or running the base track of Mauao from 9am-11am on March 29 to raise money for agencies working to protect the kororā (little blue penguin).

Dress up

Organiser Te Ara Dirkse from Envirohub BOP is inviting attendees to dress up like their favourite penguins.

“We’re asking for a $10 donation from adults and there will be games, activities and spot prizes for families,” said Dirkse.

“We want to support the awesome mahi our local care groups are doing and highlight how important the Mauao is to our native wildlife.”

Vicki Woodcraft from Western Bay Wildlife Trust said many may not realise there’s a breeding population of kororā right on our doorstep.

“Sadly, their numbers are declining and it’s essential to keep monitoring their populations and habitat to identify patterns and how to better protect them.

“Everyone can contribute by putting rubbish in bins and minimising disturbance by following the local dog bylaws and keeping domestic cats inside at night.”

Need support

Funds raised from Waddle The Mount will be used for rescue, rehabilitation, monitoring and scientific research.

“Much of our work is done by volunteers but we need funds to support our team and buy things like PPE [Personal Protection Equipment], medical supplies and fish to feed our recovering kororā,” said Woodcraft.

The Mauao Trust is also getting involved as part of its strategic plan He Korowai Ariki o Mauao - The Ancestral Cloak of Mauao to protect, conserve, and enhance Mauao, while also allowing for public access.

“Now the care of Mauao can extend beyond managing the track and pest management, into taking care of species such as the kororā,” said project manager Porina McLeod. “We’re looking forward to working with Western Bay Wildlife Trust to teach our people how to monitor the penguins and protect their health and wellbeing and maybe help improve the numbers.”

For more information about Waddle the Mount and all Sustainable Backyards events, follow the Envirohub Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/sustainablebackyards.