Three Little Blue Penguins have died near the construction of a major Wellington cycleway in recent weeks (file picture). Photo: 123RF
Three little blue penguins have died near the construction of a major Wellington cycleway in recent weeks, with one killed by construction machinery.
Te Ara Tupua is a shared pathway which will link up Wellington and Lower Hutt.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed three little blue penguin have been found dead near the site recently.
Following investigations a bird had been fatally injured by construction machinery on Saturday.
Two others, one found on 26 April and another on 3 May had deaths not linked to construction works.
Waka Kotahi and their contractors are now collating and reviewing findings as an investigation into the incident continues.
NZTA regional manager of infrastructure delivery Jetesh Bhula said conditions and permits were in place to protect the environment during the project's delivery, including the protection of penguins.
In November the developers of the cycleway were issued a formal warning by the Department of Conservation (DOC) after several kororā were killed.
