Sustainable Coastlines international volunteer Sarah helped to retrieve the note from the nest box. Photo: Supplied
A kororā has donated $20 to charity.
The bill was found by the little penguin in Napier while it was building its nest.
Napier Port environmental and sustainability manager Hannah Strauss said her team had noticed it in the kororā's nest box.
"We're not sure how long it had been in there, but it was likely brought in by a kororā building its nest up as they bring in nesting material from beaches and coastal areas," she said.
The $20 bill was spotted during routine monitoring of the penguins nesting box cameras. Photo: Supplied
"After a lengthy discussion with the penguins, we decided the money was best donated to Sustainable Coastlines who make a huge difference in cleaning up our coastlines.
"As tempting as it is to encourage cash-hunting penguins, we hope for a day when plastics stay away from our ocean and coastlines and nesting boxes return to plant material."
Sustainable Coastlines engagement manager Dan Downing said it was not uncommon for people to find cash during beach clean-ups.
"I was lucky enough to find a $20 note on my first beach clean-up with Sustainable Coastlines, but most commonly we find coins. So it's not the first time we've had money turned in, but it is the first time that the money has been found by a kororā," he said.
While Downing said Sustainable Coastlines was grateful for the donation, it highlighted how common plastic was in the marine environment.
"In this case what the kororā brought in happened to be of value and was removed.
"Sadly, birds and other marine animals frequently encounter plastic in their environment, and often, the outcome isn't so good."