The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony had some extra little helpers to house the little blues last week.

Children from Montessori Ōamaru nursery and preschool made five nesting boxes for the colony, as part of the Casa Whā room (aged 3-plus) inquiries into conservation, centre manager Prue Kingan said.

They delivered the boxes in person last Friday (September 8) and in return were treated to a private tour of the colony.

“So we have been learning about conservation recently within the centre, and ways we can connect with our local community and support conservation efforts,” Prue said.

The children worked on the nesting boxes at their carpentry table, under the guidance of the kaiako, as well as learning more about the process of the little blue penguins. 

It was also a “nice connection” that the colony was celebrating its 30th birthday as well, Prue said.

As part of their Conservation Week learning, the children also had a visit from Ardgowan School’s Tamariki Taiao - Children in Nature participants, explaining their predator trapping. 

“And a group of our Casa Toru children, from our toddlers’ classroom, went on an excursion along the railway line and met the Envirogroup from Waitaki Boys School, to collect and pick up rubbish, as well,” Prue said.

Penguin Colony science and environmental manager Dr Philippa Agnew said other schools had also contributed nesting boxes, and they were always grateful for them. 

“It’s always really cool,” she said.

The wood was kindly provided by the Ōamaru Men’s Shed.

“So they cut the timber for us, to the perfect sizes, and then all the kids need to do is hammer them.”  

The boxes will be used once the current car park upgrade is complete.

“So we're going to cut off the back, kind of, section of the car park and hopefully, maybe, put 100 boxes into there. So . . . these guys building us boxes are going to contribute to that new breeding habitat.”

Philippa estimated there are about 380 nesting boxes in total around the colony. Some had been there since it was established, and were due to be replaced, but most were still in good condition.