Takutai (The Coast)

Takutai (The Coast) habitat is now closed!

The specialist marine habitat, that is a quarter-century old has been found to be unrepairable, so the entire Takutai/The Coast habitat is now permanently closed. 

The Zoo’s kororā/little penguin have been able to be relocated to established aviaries at the top of the Zoo (a non-visitor area) where our specialist bird keepers can continue to care for and fully provide for them. We are very sad to share we have farewelled much-loved geriatric fur seal Ōrua.

In the future, this area will be redeveloped and once again be home to kōrorā, however this will take time to plan and build, and is therefore a few years away.

The Habitat

In Te Wao Nui, The Coast represents New Zealand’s iconic coastal habitat. Throughout this habitat, the unique plants of the coast grow amongst the dunes and rocks, while kororā (little penguin) explore the waters. The human influence is evident through a boatshed that illustrates our strong connection with nature and our need to respect it.

Our weather-battered coastline is an environment that only the hardiest and most adaptable of wildlife can call home. But there are elements that even these plants and animals cannot withstand. As the kaitiaki (guardians) of our land, we have the opportunity to protect and conserve our unique environment.

The Penguin Beach

The penguin beach features a specially designed base that is suspended above a void to facilitate good drainage. This enables the sand to be rinsed clean and kept free of pathogen build-up, ensuring a healthy environment for the penguins and other shore birds that live here, and an easy-to-manage area for zookeepers.