Kelly Tarlton's is celebrating the successful hatching of two baby Gentoo penguins, but it's the unique parenting method of one of the eggs that makes the event special.
In its 22nd breeding season, the Auckland sea life aquarium has welcomed two unnamed chicks, both official offspring to penguin couple DB and Noah.
One of the eggs however was fostered to another couple, George and Skye, whose own egg was infertile.
Penguin Keeper Kristen Buckley told Newshub she and colleagues put the egg underneath the foster parents ahead of time so they have a chance to get to know it before it hatches.
"The parents are constantly talking to the egg before it hatches so they think it's their own, even though it's not," she said.
The adult penguins can't really tell the difference until the chick is older when they may notice a different call from the bird.
Ms Buckley explained they launched the birthing programme to ensure that there's no need to take penguins from the wild again.
"We've got a nice healthy captive population going, these guys are a big part of that and they've got relatives all around the world that have come from here," she said.
The pair are well looked after by Kelly Tarlton's staff who assist with feeding the birds to make sure they are putting on enough weight.
Off the back of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to New Zealand, Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Auckland Head Curator, Andrew Christie, said they're excited to welcome the 'Royal babies'.
"They arrived just in time to waddle into the history books and reserve bragging rights amongst their generation to say they were around for the Royal tour," he said.
"Every single year we look forward to penguin breeding season at Sea Life Kelly Tartlon's. We've been so fortunate to have twenty two successful years, and this is a true testament to the breeding facilities we have on-site, as well as the extensive husbandry knowledge of our team!
"From helping build breeding nests, monitoring egg development and weighing each chick up to four times a day, the team has invested countless hours into ensuring the safe arrival and development of each and every chick."
As Gentoo penguins grow quickly, the new arrivals will spend the next few weeks with their parents, learning vital skills including how to feed and socialise within the colony, a spokesperson said.
Once they are big enough, they will begin to lose their baby penguin fluff, start growing their adult feathers and begin their swimming lessons.
Newshub.
