South Otago Forest & Bird member Jim Young talks with Gina Gardner, and Quinn, 9, and Piper Povey, 7, of Kākā Point, about the plight of yellow-eyed penguins at the recent Kākā Point Market Day. PHOTO: JANINE THOMPSONLocal conservationists say they will not stop advocating for hoiho, as the message of their plight continues to gain public awareness. South Otago Forest & Bird members held twin events at the Kākā Point Surf Lifesaving Club and the Kākā Point Market Day this month, designed to spread the word about the cliff-edge situation in which the endangered species finds itself. "Although awareness of the plight of the hoiho is increasing, there are still some people who don’t know what’s happening, and just how important it is for us to be taking action right now." "We hope to have the ban on set-netting extended into the Catlins, so I would say the plight of the hoiho will be a key focus for our group this year."

Source: Otago Daily Times January 22, 2026 18:35 UTC