Korora, or the Little Blue Penguin are officially recognised as a species "in decline" with one of their threats being "human encroachment onto their breeding areas."

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The New Zealand Wildlife Act states that Korora are a breed that must be protected.

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At Putiki Bay on Waiheke Island, developers are removing and undermining the rocks that a colony of Korora are nesting and breeding in now. The noise of pile drivers, the muddying of their waters (they hunt for food by eyesight and therefore require clear waters), the heavy chains of buoys often banging against their nesting rocks and posing a crushing threat to them, the highly distressing noise and chaos of these construction activities are all the cause of an illegal threat to this declining Taonga.

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Tens of thousands of hours have been put into trying to prevent this distressing and unethical construction of a marina. It is imperative that it does not go ahead.

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This artwork was motivated by a desire to help save the Putiki Korora but also to save what environmental integrity this beautiful little bay still has. It is a bay that is still managing to support a number of different native species but the impact we have had as humans on the Hauraki Gulf means it is close to collapse.

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The Kaitiaki at Putiki require practical help to support them on the water in Winter including ferry tickets on and off island for court. Financial support for legal costs are also likely. 100% profit from any prints of this artwork will be donated to the group known as 'Protect Putiki'.

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