With every sample we find out more about what kororā eat around the country. We have had a sample from the far north (Bay of Islands) for the first time. Here are some winter highlights and unexpected results:
Kororā in the Bay of Islands not unsurprisingly ate predominantly Anchovies and Pilchard but also a variety of other prey species, very similar to the diet at Muriwai, Tiritiri Matangi, and Wellington, Nelson and Kaiteriteri in Tasman. 
The results from the sample from Leigh were similar but some Blue mackerel was found and Pilchards were more important.
Cape Sanctuary for the first time did not have a rainbow of fish families in their results with Anchovies dominating the prey species. It was similar for the prey species eaten by the Kaikoura kororā with Anchovies also dominating the prey species, but with a variety of other prey species also recorded. 
Kororā on the South Island West Coast had a lot of Anchovies in their results as well as Cockabullies that were also recorded the previous year’s winter. Over on the east coast at Allans Beach (cooler water) Sprats were the most abundant prey species in the sample including a South American herring, but interestingly also some Anchovies that are usually found in warmer water. This is a repeat of the previous winter and may be an indication of what to expect in the future if Anchovies move south with warming oceans. We would expect to see Pilchard arrive in the south as well in the future.