Exciting New Ambassador Korora Encounter to open in Franz Josef, South Westland!

Tourism and economic conditions have been really challenging in Franz Josef in the South Island for the last few years, but there is finally some great economic news for South Westland and a significant investment in Glacier Country!

The award-winning West Coast Wildlife Centre is thrilled to announce the upcoming construction of a multimillion-dollar, groundbreaking extension to the existing facility in Franz Josef for injured little blue penguins that cannot be released back into the wild. The extension will be officially launched to the general public on Saturday, October 18th, 2025.

This innovative experience will provide a home to injured little blue penguins from the West Coast and around New Zealand—ambassador birds that cannot be released back into the wild. It will offer visitors a unique opportunity to connect with these incredible native birds and, most importantly, learn about community-wide conservation efforts to help protect them.

For many years, little blue penguins with injuries preventing them from surviving in the wild have faced euthanasia. The West Coast Penguin Encounter will provide a compassionate alternative, giving these ambassador penguins a safe and enriching environment where they can thrive while serving as living symbols and conservation ambassadors.

We are proud to create a safe place where these remarkable birds can continue to live and inspire visitors.

– Richard Benton, Director, West Coast Wildlife Centre.

This new experience will highlight the importance of protecting our native wildlife and show how we can all work together and contribute to help keep New Zealand’s unique wildlife safe.

This is great news for Franz Josef and the wider West Coast. Tourism is one of the key drivers of our economy, and investments like this help attract visitors and support local communities. It’s fantastic to see an initiative that not only enhances the visitor experience but also contributes to protecting our unique wildlife, reinforcing what makes the West Coast so special

– Heath Mine (Development West Coast, chief executive).

Meet Katy

Katy is a very young female kororā who was most likely hit by a boat propeller from a recreational craft near Thames. Her flipper was amputated at the Auckland Zoo Vet Hospital, and she will soon head to the South Island to live at the West Coast Penguin Encounter in Franz Josef.

She is currently patiently waiting at Auckland Zoo Vet Hospital after her severe injury. Thanks to the efforts of the Department of Conservation, Mikaylie Wilson and her team at Auckland Zoo Vet Hospital, Juan Cornejo (Bird Curator at Auckland Zoo), and the local community, Katy now faces a much brighter future. As she recovers, she is preparing to make the journey to Franz Josef to settle into her new home.

The West Coast Penguin Encounter in Franz Josef is being built to help little blue penguins just like Katy.