Benito

Little penguin (kororā) · Eudyptula minor

The smallest penguin in the world, with the biggest gesture: Benito gives away what he wears.

Animal: Little penguin (kororā)
Species: Eudyptula minor
Territory: Ōamaru, Otago
Theme: LOVE

01 · The name

Benito.

[ be-NI-to ]

Nobody knows exactly why a penguin from New Zealand is called Benito.

His name, like Nunzia's, came from far away. Perhaps that is why their stories find each other.

02 · The story

Benito spends the day in the sea.

At dusk he returns with his group to the coast of Ōamaru and walks to his nest. Every evening. Always to the same place.

Around his neck he wears a small fish. It is not food. It is a gift.

Benito believes that love is stronger than anything else. And that you show it by giving without expecting anything in return.

One stormy night the fish comes loose, and the sea carries it away.

Benito is not sad.

“If someone who needs it finds it, it has arrived.”

„If someone who needs it finds it, it has arrived.“

03 · The place

Ōamaru, Otago

45°06′ S · 170°58′ E

Coastal waters and nesting sites along the coast

04 · The species

Animal: Little penguin (kororā)
Species: Eudyptula minor
Sex: Male
Size: approx. 24 cm · a real kororā measures about 30 cm

01The smallest penguin in the world: about 30 cm tall and around 1 kg.
02Slate-blue back, white belly.
03Fishes at sea during the day and returns to land at dusk.
04Comes ashore in small groups, known as “rafts”.
05Usually returns to the same nest, often to the same partner.
06Communicates with loud calls, especially at night.

05 · Theme

Love.

The one who gives without expecting anything in return.

Symbol: Dusk
Object: The fish pendant

06 · To read aloud

Once upon a time there was a little blue penguin called Benito. He lived at the other end of the world, in New Zealand.

Every evening, when the sun went down, he waddled home from the sea with his friends. Around his neck he wore a little fish. Not for eating, but for giving away.

One night the sea took the fish. “Never mind,” said Benito. “Somewhere, someone is waiting for it.”

And do you know what? He was right.

For children. And for everyone who likes to listen.

07 · Outfit

I.
The hat.

Ribbed, worn slightly tilted. A different colour in every version.
II.
The jumper.

With small light dots.
III.
The trousers.

Short and loose, always in a colour that contrasts with the jumper.
IV.
The fish.

Detachable. Also a key ring: for passing on.

08 · The workshop

From idea
to character.

December 2025 (approx.)

First sketches

Benito begins as a feeling: love, in its simplest form.
13.02.2026

First preview

Benito shows himself for the first time.
14.02.2026

Official presentation

On Valentine's Day. The right day for the character of love.