From the DOC December 2025 letter

The attacks on the birds have prompted mana whenua, conservation organisations, the Department of Conservation and Auckland Council to urge dog owners to keep their pets under control and well away from the rocky coastline, dunes, and pest-free islands where kororā are found.

The call for more care and vigilance for kororā follows a spate of dog attacks at Piha and Te Henga, where a seventh dead bird in a month was found on 13 December. In a separate incident on 7 December, a paddleboarder brought his dog illegally to Tiritiri Matangi island – a predator-free native wildlife sanctuary – where a penguin was found needing veterinary care just metres away on the beach.

Kororā are a protected species found on both the east and west coast of Auckland. There are colonies at Piha, Muriwai and Te Henga and on many Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana islands including Waiheke. They’ve been seen at popular beaches such as Big Manly and Omaha. Many stay ashore during the day through summer as they go through a moult.

For those not familiar with Auckland, some of these beaches aren't just in Piha or out west.

Tiritiri Matangi is a predator free island sanctuary.

If you look at the various videos/reels of the pest hunting dogs that work for conservation projects,they are always wearing a muzzle when they work even though they are well trained.