Pop-up penguins - art trail & auction

Behind-the-scenes in artist studios across our Wildlife Capital (and beyond), the final touches are being made to fantastic penguin statue designs!

The Otago Shore and Land Trust is leading Hīkoi o te Taoka - March of the Treasures, an art-in-action initiative with a purpose, designed to raise awareness for the preservation and protection of Aotearoa’s endangered wildlife.  

The statues will travel around the south to various locations over the next few months and the campaign culminates with them arriving en masse back in Dunedin for the NatureDome 2026 event at Forsyth Barr Stadium (Sunday 12 April). They will then be displayed at the Tūhura Otago Museum before being auctioned on Friday 8 May.

The People’s Choice winner will remain on permanent display at the museum.

Funds raised throughout the campaign will help support the vital work of The OPERA and ourselves, Dunedin Wildlife Hospital. There’s so many fantastic designs, you may just have to vote for them all!