New Zealand Sea Lion Trust

04/10/2026

We’re super stoked about the launch of this book by Rachel McCoubrey! 🦭🩵

A true story set in South Dunedin, a sea lion wanders the streets to find a safe place to birth her pup. The neighbours join together in the spirit of guardianship to look after these unlikely friends.

Written in rhyme and illustrated by Rachel McCoubrey. The story will be followed by an art activity 🦭🎨

Head along this Thursday 8 October from 1.30pm–2.30pm at Te Whata o Kaituna / South Dunedin Community Library

🦭 Sea lion surprise book launch, story & art activity @ South Dunedin Community Library

When two worlds collide! 🌊

A true story set in South Dunedin, a sea lion wanders the streets to find a safe place to birth her pup. The neighbours join together in the spirit of guardianship to look after these unlikely friends.

Written in rhyme and illustrated by Rachel McCoubrey. The story will be followed by an art activity. 🎨

✨ FREE
📅 Thursday 8 October | 1.30pm–2.30pm
📍 Te Whata o Kaituna | South Dunedin Community Library

27/09/2026

A lovely story about the Catlins sea lions!

As the Catlins celebrate 20 years since sea lion pups returned to its shores, locals reflect on living next to, and sometimes with, endangered mammals.

19/09/2026

16/09/2026

Our educational exhibition for Sea Lion September is up now until the 29th of September in the Ōwaka Community Library and Catlins Information Centre!

Come through and check out some epic information and fun facts about NZ sea lions, play games, read stories, and more!

06/09/2026

We (The NZ Sea Lion Trust) has been made aware of an injured sea lion not far from the harbour entrance. We are currently discussing with DOC, mana whenua and the Wildlife Hospital whether there is anything that can be done to treat this sea lion or alleviate his suffering.

There is currently no conclusion as to the cause of his injuries. We have seen sea lions survive some pretty serious injuries, so please give him lots of space rest and recover so he has the best chance of a positive outcome. Thank you all for your support.

01/09/2026

We are very lucky to have a limited number of t-shirts produced by Tumbleweed Tees in Lower Hutt! Tumbleweed Tees create timeless designs representing a wide range of Aotearoa’s biodiversity on ethical, low impact products while promoting and funding conservation in Aotearoa. Each tee is hand-printed to order using water based inks on quality cotton.

Sizes and colours currently available:

Small / Male / Sage

Small / Female / Blue

Medium / Female / Blue

XL / Female / Sage

XL / Female / Blue

$59 on our website! https://www.sealiontrust.org.nz/sea-lion-t-shirt-by-tumbleweed-tees

01/09/2026

Sea lion celebration this September!

We’re teaming up with Clutha District Council Libraries and DOC this September!

There’s heaps of events for all ages:

🦭 Educational Exhibition | 15–29 September
Visit the sea lion exhibit and learn more about these remarkable marine mammals.

🎨 Colouring Competition | 1 September–11 October
Open to all ages, with great prizes to be won!

🎉 Sea Lion Celebration Day | Saturday 19 September, 10.30am–3.30pm
Come along for crafts, family-friendly games and activities, spot prizes and sea lion talks throughout the day.

🌊 Sea Lion Talk | Sunday 27 September, doors open 6pm
Join Jim Fyfe for a presentation exploring the history of sea lions in the Catlins.

Come along, learn something new and celebrate our local sea lions!

29/08/2026

Snapped a pic of some sandy sea lions snuggling up? Or some playful pakake pups in the pool?

Send them in so we can make a beautiful 2027 calendar!

We are accepting are entries through our Google Form here: https://forms.gle/3pFEJjBMR2aZyanx6
and the link in our bio.

Entries close in a few weeks so we can get production underway before then!

Any questions - contact Hannah at [email protected]

29/08/2026

Pakake pups sure know how to have fun, and look cute while doing it 🦭 ❤️

Remember to keep your distance (20m+) and use zoom photography when out and about 📸

25/08/2026

The rewards are now no longer available the time periods under the Marine Mammals Protection Act have expired. Unfortunately no prosecutions were brought forward, but we are eternally grateful for all of the support from our donors especially anonymous donor. A big thank you to Police and DOC, all those who came forward with information, and to wider community. 💙🦭

We are still offering a $55,000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of three sea lions in the Waitaki and three sea lions in the Catlins.

NZSLT was, and still is, incredibly saddened and disturbed to see the shootings of three sub-adult male pakake / New Zealand sea lions in Waitaki in August 2025.

NZSLT wishes to make it clear that the reward will not be extended to further incidents of violence against sea lions and that the reward will not be paid out to perpetrators of the offences or their accomplices.

NZSLT believes this is not the type of behaviour which the vast majority of New Zealanders would accept or condone with respect to our taonga native species.

We are grateful to our supporters for making it possible for us to extend the reward to the Waitaki shootings. We would also like to thank the Police and Te Papa Atawhai / Department of Conservation for all of their efforts so far.

NZSLT asks anyone with information relating to any of the sea lion deaths to make contact at [email protected]. Any contact and information will be dealt with on a strictly confidential basis.

For more information head to https://www.sealiontrust.org.nz/sea-lion-killings