A Little Blue Penguin sits in a rocky landscape.

Kororā: Little Blue Penguin

30m

In 2020, in Aotearoa New Zealand, a Banks Peninsula family works to protect and survey the indigenous population of white-flippered penguins, through predator-trapping and citizen science.

Produced by Blue Cradle in collaboration with Kororātahi Creative

Series details.

Credits

James Nikitine & Kerepeti Paraone
Directors
James Nikitine
Writer

In 2020, in Aotearoa New Zealand, a Banks Peninsula family works to protect and survey the indigenous population of white-flippered penguins, through predator-trapping and citizen science.

A documentary film about marine conservation, community, intergenerational stewardship, and hope, by James Nikitine & Kerepeti Paraone.

Produced by

Blue Cradle

Made in collaboration with

Kororātahi Creative

Supported by

The Rātā Foundation

Supported by

Environment Canterbury

Get in touch

More like this

  • Documentary

    After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the 1984 Sikh Massacre unfolded, with thousands of Sikhs violently killed over three days. Many sought asylum. 1984 follows their journey to find home in Aotearoa after enormous tragedy.
    1984/Film
    1h 4m

  • Documentary

    I Am a Dark River is a playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.
    I Am a Dark River/Film
    1h 10m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara

    The Taranaki pā site of Pukerangiora holds a significant place in New Zealand’s military history as a lasting symbol of Māori resistance and resilience.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara/Film
    44m

  • Rabbits and Other Pests

    No one knows for sure who first introduced rabbits to New Zealand, because no one wanted to take the blame for what became one of New Zealand's biggest environmental and economic disasters. We start season two burrowing into the devastating history of rabbits and other pests.
    The Aotearoa History Show/Season 2/Episode 1
    19m

  • Whitiki

    A video documentary that tells the stories of three Māori Pioneers who went to battle in WWI, through the eyes of their descendants.
    Whitiki/Film
    52m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui

    NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui is the third compelling chapter in RNZ’s award-winning documentary project on the New Zealand Wars.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui/Film
    48m

  • Dealing with Loss

    This episode looks at the devastating effect introduced mammals have had on New Zealand’s unique wildlife.
    Fight for the Wild/Episode 1
    45m

  • Aotearoa - Waking Up to the Dawn Raids

    The Dawn Raids story is overdue to be told. Long whispered about in secret family conversations, people have heard the words "dawn raids" but not what really happened.
    Untold Pacific History/Season 1/Episode 1
    14m

  • Episode 1

    We investigate the occupation at Ihumātao from the perspective of the leaders of the campaign to #ProtectIhumātao.
    Ake Ake Ake/Episode 1
    55m

  • Documentary

    A riveting slice of New Zealand history telling the iconic story of Crown Lynn pottery and the generations of Māori families that worked there.
    Crown Lynn: A Māori Story /Film
    53m

  • Meng

    Meng is a one hour bilingual documentary that follows former Gisborne mayor and current Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon.
    Meng/Film
    52m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau

    The fourth epic chapter in the award-winning NZ Wars series. Presented by Mihingarangi Forbes.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau/Film
    56m

  • The Chief

    In episode one, we first meet the prominent Māori chief Te Whakatōhea Chief Mokomoko who dedicates his life to protecting the land and people of Bay of Plenty's Te Whakatōhea Iwi.
    Stolen Lands: Betrayal of a Chief/Episode 1
    29m

  • Aftermath

    Hawke's Bay families grapple to put their lives back together following the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
    My Cyclone Gabrielle/Episode 1
    9m

  • Rakiura

    Troy embarks on a journey down south to the tip of Aotearoa to explore the breathtaking Rakiura.
    Our Other Islands/Episode 1
    26m

  • Jason

    Summer at Penguin Place can be hectic, as Jason juggles hoiho (yellow-eyed-penguin) rescues, daily feeding sessions, tour groups, and bird releases - all in a day’s work!
    The Turning Point/Episode 1
    13m

  • Flower Pot Boombox

    Fat Freddy’s Drop depart Auckland, bound for London, 2003. Taking up residence for six weeks in Tooting, South London, the band sets up a studio in the lounge, and get straight into rehearsals and making beats.
    MARAUDERS/Season 1/Episode 1
    9m

  • Part 1 (2024)

    Ruamata captures the journey of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata's rise to the top of hockey in Aotearoa as they become the first Māori immersion school in a century to compete in the prestigious Rankin Cup.
    Ruamata: It's More Than Hockey/Film
    1h 0m

  • Katchafire: Legacy

    The story of the Māori band Katchafire, as they struggle to find their way through volatile creative differences and a changing music landscape.
    Katchafire: Legacy/Film
    53m

  • All Blacks at War

    Former All Black Andrew Mehrtens MNZM shares the story of the 13 All Blacks killed in WWI.
    All Blacks at War/Film
    44m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana

    The fifth chapter of this series, NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana recounts the events that unfolded in the Bay of Plenty and their far-reaching consequences for future generations.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana/Film
    48m

  • The State of Our Seas

    We look at the issues affecting our coastal marine environment through Professors Shears & Pilditch of Auckland University, including kina barrens in the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.
    Turning the Tide/Episode 1
    13m

  • What if... genomics could safeguard our food supply?

    The rapid warming and periods of droughts as a result of climate change will impact our ability to grow food. Researchers are investigating ways that genomics can help safeguard our food security in the future.
    What if...? Genomics in Aotearoa/Episode 1
    7m

  • Out There

    Zoologist-turned-filmmaker Alexis Smith joins a mysterious network in New Zealand dedicated to communicating with extraterrestrials.
    Loading Docs/Season 10/Episode 1
    13m

  • Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth

    It was the social movement that changed the country's political landscape. 20 years on, Tāmati Rimene-Sproat retraces the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed march, all the way back to the steps of Parliament.
    Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth/Film
    59m

  • Ground Work

    In the first of a three-part series, bands from Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland travel to Scotland to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships.
    12,000 Miles/Episode 1
    36m

  • Trailer

    From visionary director Katie Wolfe comes an unflinching documentary of a forgotten history retold from every side.
    The Haka Party Incident/
    2m

Video section home

A person on a BMX bike jumping over the camera, silhouetted against a cloudy sky. Text reads, "No Limits".
People standing in a forest clearing, backlit by the sun. They are all wearing traditional Māori dress. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui".
A large mountain capped with snow. Text reads, "Land of the Long White Cloud".
Woman looking into the camera, standing side on. She has a staunch expression and Is wearing a bright pink blouse. Text reads, "Breaking Silence". Text and woman stand against a dark, almost black background.
Illustration of two women looking defiantly at the viewer. The background is yellow with illustrated yellow simple flowers. The text reads, "Conversations with my Immigrant Parents".
A graphic of four birds hanging over an adult man's head. In the middle, the text reads: "Bird's Eye View."
Black text on a beige background, text reads "Fight for the Wild". Behind the text are three illustrations, one is of New Zealand the other is a disembodied head of a Tūī and the third is a fantail.
A birds'-eye view of some military items sitting scattered on a desk, including a map, a hat, playing cards, and a couple of coins. The text in the middle reads "Back to Timor."
Three figures from different original images have been edited so that they're all standing next to each other and are of varying sizes. All three people are in the midst of performing. The background in a flat bright red colour. Text in the style of graffiti reads, "The Collective". A spray painted illustration of a crown appears above the 'e' in 'Collective'.
An older woman with grey hair is holding a ceramic bowl up and looking at it intently as she sits at a dining table. In front of her are plates, and a bowl of green apples. Text reads "Crown Lynn: A Māori Story". Above the text is a white line illustration of a tiki with an illustration of a star on either side of it.
A sand dune with the ocean behind it in a cove, everything shadowy and violet in the twilight. The text reads "Whitiki! Whītī! Whītī! E!"
A man standing with his arms crossed looking at the camera, he has visible tattoos on both forearms. He's highlighted with a blue light. Text reads, "NZ Hip Hop Stand Up" in neon green and pink.
Text reads, "Matangireia with Morgan Godfery". Background is beige with an out of focus letter M in fancy script.
A brightly colours grid of squares where some of the squares include the faces of the five hosts of Whakamāori
Bob Lowry, wearing an eyepatch, crown, and shirt with the words "In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is King," holds a finger in the air. The graphic is white and teal with a title to the left of him and curving below which reads: "I Am a Dark River"
A group of people performing a haka outside amongst the trees. The person at the front is in focus and doing a pukana. Text reads, "NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka".
Person on purple background resting their head in their hand. Only their head and chest is visible. Purple text along bottom of image reads, "AMPLIFIED".
Misty Frequency's mask sits by other masks on a shelf in a dressing room. The text reads "What's the Disability-Tea"
A hillside is draped with a large Māori flag, on the ridge line stands a single figure and another Māori flag. Text in a painted font reads "Ake Ake Ake"
In India, a group of people walk down a path in front of a historic building. Above the building in orange reads: "1984"
A yellow baroque style wallpaper. A white line drawing of a house is in the bottom right corner. White handwritten text reads, "Kāinga".
A woman sitting on a chair next to a desk and coffee table. She's smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Aotearoa's Most Bizarre Conspiracies".
A sepia toned photograph laying on a table. The photograph is of a man looking over his shoulder at the camera, he is wearing headphones and sitting in from of a switch board. Text reads, "Coast Watchers Operation Pacific".
A person sitting on a stool, they're looking down. The image has been edited so that there's a strong orange toned light covering the image, obscuring the figures face. The text reads, "The Outliers".