The price Libby Kennedy pays for working with penguins - she has to pick up their poo

Diver/ bird keeper at the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier Libby Kennedy feeding little penguins. Photo / Supplied

The word council brings to mind mayors and councillors however, there are many more faces behind the scenes of our councils doing amazing mahi. Local Democracy reporter Linda Hall talks to some of them.

Picking up poo is a chore Libby Kennedy does happily.

The diver and bird keeper at the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier says it’s a small price to pay for a job she loves.

“Picking up penguin poo is not even that bad, especially when I get to do my dream job,” she said.

Kennedy, 24, studied marine biology and says she has always been interested in the biological process and how species interact.

“I’ve always wanted to do this and when I saw a job come up at the aquarium, I was so excited.”

She got the job and started at front of house and as a tour guide.

Now she gets to look after little penguins and kiwi.

“My job is to make sure they have nice clean enclosures, look after their dietary needs – some of them have individual diets – penguin encounters, so talking to people about what we do and occasionally I get to jump in and feed the fish and clean the tank.”

Asked to pick her favourite little penguin, Kennedy said she couldn’t.

“That’s like picking a favourite child. I have loved learning all their personality quirks and giving them the care they need. Penguin Cove is a sanctuary for them. These little penguins wouldn’t survive in the wild.”

The oldest is Draco at an impressive 17 years. Libby said in the wild little penguins had a lifespan of eight to 10 years.

“In here she gets handfed three times a day. All her needs are met. She’s like a very endearing little old lady.”

Libby enjoys the penguin encounters held at the aquarium.

“It’s great that the penguins bring people in and I like talking to people about what we do.”

There’s no handling the little penguins at these encounters.

“We try ourselves to minimise handling.”

Libby said losing a penguin is really hard. “It’s like losing a beloved pet. You build connections with them.

“But at least we know that while they were here they had the best care possible.”

The animal team (or a member of it) works every day of the year, Christmas included.

“I’m here for the long haul. It’s my passion. The team has so much knowledge and it’s so good to learn from like-minded people. I feel lucky and grateful to work here. I truly love it.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.