The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) are known to Maori as Hoiho. These penguins are one of the rarest penguins in the world, they live and breed around the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin. The species is listed by the NZ Dept of Conservation as being "Threatened".

The yellow-eyed penguin gets it's name from it's pale yellow iris eyes. The chin and throat are brownish-black. There is a band of bright yellow running from its eyes around the back of the head. The juvenile has a grayer head with no band and their eyes have a gray iris.

The yellow-eyed penguin is a mid-sized penguin, measuring 62–79 cm (24–31 in) long. Weights vary through the year being greatest, 5.5 to 8 kg (12–18 lbs), just before moulting and least, 3 to 6 kg (6.6–13.2 lbs), after moulting. The males penguins are larger than the females.

The yellow-eyed penguin may be long lived, with some individuals reaching 20 years of age. Males are generally longer lived than females, leading to a sex ratio of 2:1 around the age of 10–12 years.

The loss of coastal forest has played a part in the decline of the yellow-eyed penguin especially on the Otago Peninsula, but the biggest threat to the survival of the species is introduced mammalian predators. Wild cats, ferrets and stoats often kill chicks and take eggs. Adult penguins all too often fall victim to dogs. 

The population of yellow-eyed penguins is estimated to be around 2,000 breeding pairs and is centred on the sub-antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands, however around 500 pairs breed on New Zealand's South Island and another 150 pairs on and around Stewart Island. Variable marine productivity causes considerable fluctuation in year-to-year numbers of breeding pairs, however the long-term trend is stable.

Penguins need privacy, so follow these simple rules for viewing:

• Hide so the penguins can’t see you – if they can see you, they become scared and stay away or freeze in fear.

• Talk quietly and move slowly.

• Don’t bring your dog – penguins smell irresistible to even the most placid dog. Dogs are death to penguins.

• Keep to the track – penguins build their nests amongst plants. Disturbance can make penguins abandon their nests.

For more information visit the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust's website yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz