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Variable oystercatcher chicks (Haematopus unicolor) were banded at the Kaikōura Peninsula between summer 1999–2000 and summer 2016–2017. Prior to colour banding, there were no reports of Kaikōura Peninsula oystercatchers being sighted at other locations. Since summer 2006–2007 colour banding sequences have been available and these unique identifiers enabled movements of individual juvenile and immature birds to be determined. Forty-two colour banded chicks fledged, and 25 of these have been sighted at 11 locations between Collingwood 215 km to the northwest, and the Avon-Heathcote Estuary near Christchurch, 145 km south. Twelve of the 25 birds sighted away have not been seen back at the Kaikōura Peninsula, the other 13 returned of which 4 travelled away for a second time and did not return. Seventeen birds were not seen away from the Kaikōura Peninsula but 7 with no sightings for periods over 7 months may been away and returned. Siblings often went to different locations. Of 9 pairs of same nest siblings, 1 pair stayed at the Kaikōura Peninsula, 1 pair went initially to Nelson and 1 pair to the Avon-Heathcote Estuary, and birds of the other 6 pairs went to different locations including staying at Kaikōura. Birds seen at Nelson were also seen at the Avon-Heathcote Estuary.