A rare Antarctic penguin has been successfully released back into the wild, a month after being found roaming on Lower Hutt's Petone Beach

Wellington Zoo have been caring for the penguin, trying to get her up to a five-kilogram weight goal.

Conservation crews attempted to release the penguin on Wellington's south coast earlier this month, but she was hesitant and the operation was eventually called off.

A second attempt has been successful, with the penguin being released off a Police boat into Cook Strait and taking off in the right direction.