Most Valuable Breeding Pair (MVBP)
Kicking things off, we have our most dedicated duo.
This hardworking pair got an early start, with their first eggs spotted on 6 May, and didn’t slow down all season. As one of our rare triple-brooding pairs, they successfully raised an impressive six chicks without a single failure.
If that wasn’t enough, they’re also local celebrities, featuring as our nest-camera stars!
Winners: microchip numbers: 956 000010109118 and 956 000014424700
Chonkiest Chick
This season’s heavyweight champion tipped the scales at a whopping 1.65 kg at just seven weeks old, around 600 grams heavier than the average chick at that age.
An absolute unit by penguin standards.
Winner: 956 000017384557
Biggest Homebody
Some penguins love the ocean… and some clearly prefer staying home.
This individual was recorded during an incredible 25 Tuesday monitoring sessions, essentially holding down a regular weekly shift on land. Whether it was routine or just a love of attention, we’re not quite sure.
Winner: 956 000015704461
Heaviest Moulter
Before moulting, little penguins bulk up, and this one took it to another level.
Weighing in at an incredible 1.99 kg, this bird was nearly double the typical body weight for the species.
Winner: 956 000013092341
Best Nest Defender
Every colony has that one penguin… the one you don’t forget.
This feisty individual became famous among our monitoring team for lying in wait and launching surprise attacks the moment a nest box was opened - like a very determined jack-in-the-box.
Winner: 956 000013092341
Greediest Chick
All chicks are enthusiastic eaters, but this one truly stood out.
In just one week, it gained 470 grams, jumping from 550g to 1020g - an astonishing 87% increase in body weight.
Now that’s commitment to mealtime.
Winner: 956 000018308448
Most Stress-Inducing Penguin
And finally… the award no researcher wants to give.
This penguin disappeared for an entire month with one of our very valuable video loggers attached. For context, these devices are usually deployed for just a day, and rarely stay attached for more than two weeks.
Against the odds, the bird eventually returned… with the logger still attached.
Relief doesn’t quite cover it.
Winner: 956 000015873713
(Now officially on the “no attachment” list!)
A Season to Remember
From record chick numbers to unforgettable penguin personalities, the 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary. These awards might be a bit of fun, but they also highlight the incredible lives of the kororā we’re lucky enough to work with every day.
A huge thank you to our team, supporters, and visitors who help make this work possible, we can’t wait to see what next season brings.