The annual New Zealand Bird of the Year competition has concluded, with the New Zealand falcon, or kārearea in Māori, taking home the coveted title. The falcon received 21% of the total valid votes, highlighting the event’s success in raising awareness about the nation’s vulnerable native birds. The kārearea is a remarkable raptor, able to dive at speeds of up to 200 km/h, which makes it an effective hunter in New Zealand’s dense forests. However, despite its abilities, this species is at risk, with population estimates showing as few as 5,000 to 8,000 individuals left in the wild.
This year was significant as it marked the 20th anniversary of this fiercely contested race, organized by the conservation group Forest & Bird. The main goal of the competition is to raise public awareness about the many native species that are in danger. This year, 73 birds competed for the title, each backed by a volunteer campaign manager who used various strategies, including memes, short videos, and hand-drawn posters, to engage voters.
Nicola Toki, the chief executive of Forest & Bird, shared the deeper meaning behind the lively campaigns. She noted, “Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message. This year’s top 10 manu [birds] matches the statistics exactly—80% of them are in trouble.” Ms. Toki also pointed out the severe situation for two competitors, the kākāpō and the karure black robin, which are both considered “nationally critical,” with populations of less than 300 birds each. She stressed the ongoing threats pushing many species toward extinction. “Habitat destruction, climate change, and introduced predators continue to push many species toward extinction. But public awareness can be powerful.” The competition saw a record turnout this year, with over 75,000 votes cast.
The election-style campaign included an intriguing feature: an election debate where campaign managers formally presented arguments for their chosen birds. The kārearea’s win comes with the honor of inspiring a new waiata (a Māori language song) set for public release. Following the winner were the playful kea, with 12,506 votes, and the kakaruia, or black robin, which closely trailed with 11,726 votes. The black robin barely missed the title last year, losing to the hoiho, the shy yellow-eyed penguin.
Other important participants included the kākāpō, known as the world’s heaviest parrot, which has won the competition twice and was controversially removed from the 2022 contest to give other species a fair chance. The critically endangered takahē, once thought to be extinct before a successful recovery program, and the mysterious ruru, or morepork, a small native owl, also had excellent performances, though neither has won the overall title. In addition to voting, nature lovers took part in a themed version of the popular online game Wordle, cleverly called “Birdle.”
The competition has gained more international attention, especially after comedian John Oliver’s high-profile and sometimes controversial campaign to promote the endangered pūteketeke in a previous year. His efforts included dressing as the bird on his talk show and putting up promotional billboards in countries like New Zealand, Japan, France, and the UK. Over the years, the event has faced its share of drama, including past claims of voter fraud and foreign interference, as well as a significant outcry when a native bat controversially won in 2021. This year’s field of over 70 bird species represented various conservation statuses, showing the wide range of threats—such as predation and habitat loss—facing New Zealand’s unique birdlife. The rising international interest is mirrored by similar initiatives, including Australia’s Bird of the Year competition, which will take place throughout October.
