Getting a penguin shot is not easy. Most penguins will leave early in the morning to feed and return at dusk. Where there are colonies you will find physical barriers or signs restricting your access to their nesting areas.
There are tours of the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve in Otago Peninsula. When I did the tour the penguins were out feeding. The signets were waiting in the dark and were difficult to photograph, that is, little fluffy grey birds in the shadows. The is a rehabilitation area on the reserve but I only took a photo as a reference for possible work use you can see why below. There is an albatross colony there but I didn't pay to see them as it was very windy and unpleasant (and that was in summer).
[attachment=14557:penguins1.jpg] [attachment=14558:penguins2.jpg]
You can see penguins in the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch but the ones I saw had blue socks on.
Kaikoura Peninsula is an excellent place to see wildlife. The whale watch tour is excellent, but just be aware that it does go out into the open ocean if you get seasick. There are whales, dusky dolphins, fur seals, albatross and other sea birds in the area. They even had a pod of orca visiting a week before I did my first tour. The peninsula is very photogenic and although I visited in summer the postcards shot in winter look very spectacular.
Good luck, I hope you have more success than I have had.
Cheers,
