Being so far from home has ruffled the feathers of the latest resident at Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre.
A 5.5kg Snares crested penguin was found on a beach in Russell and brought to the attention of Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre manager Robert Webb last week.
The penguin, named Burt after Burt Munro the New Zealander with the fastest land-speed record on a 1000cc motorbike, arrived in Whangarei on Sunday and wasn't injured at all.
"He is moulting, and when they're doing that they can't go in the water because they're not waterproof," Mr Webb said.
"He would have died on that beach, a dog or something would have got him."