Bird of the Year

Bird of the Year is an annual election-based competition run by Forest & Bird to elect a "Bird of the Year" in New Zealand.[1]

Bird of the Year of New Zealand
Te Manu Rongonui o Te Tau
Incumbent
Hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin
since 11 November 2019
Term length1 year
Inaugural holderTui
FormationOctober 2005
Websitehttp://birdoftheyear.org.nz

It draws support from well-known personalities including politicians, artists, actors, celebrity chefs.[2]

History

Bird of the Year was created by the late Helen Bain who was Forest & Bird's communications manager.[3][4][5] It launched in October 2005 as an online poll that featured in Forest & Bird's first email newsletter. Votes were collected by email and through the post.[6] It included 76 native bird species and received a total of 900 votes.[7]

In 2014, the competition was temporarily changed to Seabird of the Year and only seabirds were eligible.[8]

Previous winners
Year Bird Number of votes Percentage of votes
2020 Kākāpō[9]
2019 Hoiho[10] 12,022 28 percent
2018 Kererū[11] 5,833 12 percent
2017 Kea[12] 7,311 18 percent
2016 Kōkako[13] 3,614 18 percent
2015 Bar-tailed godwit[14] 1,957[15] 15 percent
2014 New Zealand fairy tern
2013 Mōhua/Yellowhead[16] 2,473 19 percent
2012 New Zealand Falcon[17] 1,261
2011 Pūkeko[18] 1,480
2010 Kākāriki[19] 6,921 33 percent
2009 Kiwi[20] 1,586
2008 Kākāpō[21] 578
2007 Grey warbler[22]
2006 New Zealand Fantail[23] 458
2005 Tūī[7] 20 percent

Scandals

In 2008, the successful campaign to elect kākāpō was accused by the takahē of accepting undeclared donations "from wealthy migratory birds living in Monaco." It was cleared by the fictional Serious Feathered Fraud Office.[24]

In 2010, the kākāriki was accused of rigging the vote. Forest & Bird confirmed these concerns in 2011, committing to improving vote security.[25]

In 2011, the emperor penguin was added to the competition for one year, when a juvenile bird was found on the Kapiti Coast. It had made national and international headlines after being rescued.[26] [27][28]

In 2015, two teenagers from Auckland made over 200 fraudulent votes for the kōkako.[29] They used their father's business account to make fake email addresses.[30]

In 2017, the competition suffered a further voting scandal when 112 fraudulent votes were made for the white-faced heron using internet bots from an IP address in Christchurch.[31]

In 2018, an independent scrutineer from Dragonfly Data Science was brought in to prevent further voting scandals.[32] Despite this, a third voting scandal surfaced when 310 fraudulent votes were placed for the shag. These were traced to Australia.[33][34][35]

In 2020, 1500 fraudulent votes were placed for the Little spotted kiwi using fake email addresses from the same IP address, briefly pushing it to the top of the leaderboard before the fraudulent votes were discovered.[36]

Celebrity endorsements
Name Birds endorsed
Annabel Langbein Kōtare/Sacred kingfisher (2006[37])
Anton Oliver Yellow-eyed penguin (2008 – 2011[38][39])
Barnaby Weir Kererū (2008[38])
Caroline Church Ruru/Morepork (2006[37])
Chris Carter Kākāpō (2006[37])
Damian Christie Pūkeko (2009[40])
David Farrar Kākā (2009[40])
Don Brash Kōtuku (2006[37])
Don McGlashan Weka (2010[19])
Graeme Hill Grey warbler (2008[38])
Grahame Sydney Black stilt (2010[19])
Hayley Holt New Zealand fairy tern (2013[16])
Helen Clark Kākāpō (2006[37])
Hinewehi Mohi Kererū (2011[41])
Hollie Smith Kōkako (2011[41])
Irene van Dyk Tui (2008[38])
Jacinda Ardern Tāiko/Black Petrel (2018[42])
Jason Gunn Kea (2008[38])
Jeanette Fitzsimmons Kererū (2006[37])
Jeremy Wells Royal spoonbill (2009[40])
Jerome Chandrahasen Ruru/Morepork (2010[43])
John Key Kiwi (2008[38])
Kate Wilkinson New Zealand fantail (2011[41])
Kim Hill New Zealand fantail (2009[40])
Kiri Te Kanawa Kererū (2009,[40] 2010)
Susan Satyanand Kokako (2006[37]), Albatross (2008[38])
Lisa Chapell New Zealand robin (2011[41])
Lois Daish New Zealand fantail (2006[37])
Maisey Rika Ruru/Morepork (2011[41])
Mark Sainsbury Tui (2006[37])
Matt Watson Australasian gannet (2014[8])
Metiria Turei Mōhua (2013[16]), brown skua (2014[8])
Peter Dunne Northern royal albatross (2014[8])
Peter Hillary Kea (2008[38])
Petra Bagust Tui (2008[38])
Phil Goff Ruru/Morepork (2011[41])
Pita Sharples Kāhu (2006[37]), New Zealand falcon (2011[41])
Rachel Smalley Kea (2011[41])
Riki Gooch Takahē (2011[41])
Rodney Hide Tui (2006[37])
Russel Norman Tui (2011[41])
Ruud Kleinpaste Kiwi (2006[37])
Sam Hunt Pied stilt (2008,[38] 2009[40])
Sam Morgan Tui (2008[38])
Seth Haapu Kākāriki (2011[41])
Anand Satyanand Weka (2006,[37] 2008[38])
Steve Abel Wandering albatross (2011[41])
Steve Braunias White-faced heron (2008[38])
Taika Waititi New Zealand fantail (2010[44])
Tui De Roy Southern royal albatross (2008[38])
Winston Peters Buller's shearwater (2014[8])

References
  1. "Bird Of The Year". www.birdoftheyear.org.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  2. Monday; September 2006, 18; Forest, 10:27 am Press Release; Bird. "Voting opens in 2006 Bird of the Year | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. Langstone, Michelle (October 2019). "Strictly for the Birds". North and South Magazine.
  4. "Forest & Bird Magazine 335 Feb 2010". Issuu. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  5. "River victim named as top journalist Helen Bain". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  6. Wednesday; October 2005, 5; Forest, 8:56 am Press Release: Royal; Society, Bird Protection. "Voting opens for New Zealand's Bird of the Year 05 | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. Friday; October 2005, 21; Forest, 9:01 am Press Release: Royal; Society, Bird Protection. "The Tui is New Zealand's Bird of the Year 2005 | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Sunday; November 2014, 2; Forest, 2:23 pm Press Release; Bird. "Seabird of the Year poll opens tomorrow | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. "Kākāpō wins bird of the year for an unprecedented second time". RNZ. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  10. Graham-McLay, Charlotte (11 November 2019). "Endangered hoiho penguin wins New Zealand's bird of the year poll". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  11. "Kereru crowned Bird of the Year for 2018". www.forestandbird.org.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  12. "Kea crowned Bird of the Year". www.forestandbird.org.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  13. "Kōkako Crowned Bird of the Year". www.forestandbird.org.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  14. "Bar-tailed godwit (kuaka) crowned Bird of the Year". www.forestandbird.org.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  15. "Welcome to Bird Of The Year 2015 | Bird Of The Year 2015". 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 10 November 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  16. Tuesday; October 2013, 29; Forest, 6:15 pm Press Release; Bird. "Mohua crowned Bird of the Year | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. Wednesday; October 2012, 10; Forest, 6:50 pm Press Release; Bird. "NZ falcon wins Bird of the Year | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. Friday; November 2011, 25; Forest, 10:57 am Press Release; Bird. "Pukeko streaks home in Bird of the Year poll | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. Thursday; October 2010, 14; Forest, 11:12 am Press Release; Bird. "Kakariki scoops Forest & Bird's Bird of the Year | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. Thursday; October 2009, 15; Forest, 10:51 am Press Release; Bird. "Kiwi flies in Bird of Year competition | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. Saturday; November 2008, 8; Forest, 1:16 pm Press Release; Bird. "Election result one for the birds | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. Sunday; October 2007, 21; Forest, 1:15 pm Press Release; Bird. "Grey warbler surprise winner in Bird of The Year | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. Tuesday; October 2006, 17; Forest, 9:22 am Press Release: Royal; Society, Bird Protection. "Fantail/piwakawaka wins Bird of the Year 2006 | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. Saturday; November 2008, 8; Forest, 1:16 pm Press Release; Bird. "Election result one for the birds | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. Thursday; October 2011, 20; Forest, 3:28 pm Press Release: Royal; Society, Bird Protection. "Bird of the Year – polls open today | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. "Penguin Happy Feet becomes a Wellington celebrity – 150 years of news". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  27. Thursday; November 2011, 17; Forest, 12:22 pm Press Release; Bird. "Underbird ahead in the polls | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. "Hope yet for Happy Feet fans". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  29. Morris, Hugh (5 February 2016). "New Zealand Bird of the Year contest rocked by voting scandal". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  30. Friday; October 2015, 23; Forest, 12:26 pm Press Release; Bird. "Bird of the Year competition rocked by scandal | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. Wednesday; October 2017, 11; Forest, 8:49 am Press Release; Bird. "Fraudulent votes set Bird of the Year aflutter | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. "Bird of the Year brings in independent scrutineer to prevent voter fraud". Newshub. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  33. Zhou, Naaman (5 October 2018). "'Desperate for a shag': pranksters target New Zealand's bird of the year poll". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  34. "Australian tampers with Bird of the Year competition". RNZ. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  35. "Forest and Bird's Bird of the Year voting hacked – again". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  36. Sadler, Rachel. "Bird of the Year's fraudulent votes make international headlines". Newshub. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  37. Monday; September 2006, 18; Forest, 10:27 am Press Release; Bird. "Voting opens in 2006 Bird of the Year | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. Tuesday; October 2008, 7; Forest, 10:23 am Press Release; Bird. "High-flying poll opens | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. Thursday; October 2011, 20; Forest, 3:28 pm Press Release: Royal; Society, Bird Protection. "Bird of the Year – polls open today | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. Friday; September 2009, 11; Forest, 11:49 am Press Release; Bird. "Forest & Bird's Bird of the Year Poll opens | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. Thursday; October 2011, 20; Forest, 3:28 pm Press Release: Royal; Society, Bird Protection. "Bird of the Year – polls open today | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. "'The bogan of the birds' - Jacinda Ardern reveals her choice for Bird of the Year". TVNZ.
  43. Wednesday; September 2010, 15; Forest, 4:54 pm Press Release; Bird. "Less talk, Vote Morepork | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. Monday; September 2010, 13; Forest, 10:37 am Press Release; Bird. "Forest & Bird's Bird of the Year poll opens | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 September 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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