Rarest Penguin Wins New Zealand's Bird of the Year
It's noisy, smelly and shy but the hoiho bird has won the hard-fought title of New Zealand's bird of the year.
Also known as the yellow-eyed penguin, the hoiho won a public vote to take the title.
It's hoped that the award could help revive the species, which is endangered.
New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year competition is quite a big deal. There have even been complaints about foreign interference and cheating in past years — the late-night US TV host John Oliver campaigned for last year's winner, with hundreds of thousands of people voting.
This year, more than 50,000 voted, 300,000 fewer than last year. Campaigners in the long-running contest sought votes using memes online, getting celebrity endorsements and even getting tattoos to prove their loyalty.
Nature is never far away in New Zealand, and a love of native birds is instilled in citizens from childhood.
"Birds are our heart and soul," said one campaigner.
This year's winner, the hoiho — its name means "noise shouter" in the Māori language — is a shy bird thought to be the world's rarest penguin.
It is only found on New Zealand's South Island and on islands south of the country. Numbers have dropped by 78% in the past 15 years. There are thought to be between 4,000 and 5,000 left in the world.
"This spotlight couldn't have come at a better time," said Nicola Toki, from Forest & Bird, the organization that runs the competition.
Despite intensive conservation efforts on land, she said, the birds drown in nets at sea and can't find enough food.
"The campaign has raised awareness, but what we really hope is that it brings tangible support," said Charlie Buchan, campaign manager for the hoiho.
The hoiho campaign was run by wildlife groups, a museum and a rugby team in the city of Dunedin, where the bird is found on mainland New Zealand, making it the highest-powered campaign of the 2024 vote.
