Twittering among ornithologists and plain old bird lovers is building to a full-on flap over which bird should be this year’s New Zealand Bird of the Year.
Last year’s campaign was controversial because a global campaign by British-American comedian and HBO television presenter John Oliver resulted in the pūteketeke (Australasian crested grebe) winning Bird of the Century.
"Following the international success of last year’s Bird of the Year campaign, thanks to celebrity John Oliver, which featured the pūteketeke and raised over $600,000, Tūhura Otago Museum hopes to achieve similar results for the hoiho," Tūhura and Wild Dunedin marketing manager Charlie Buchan said.
"Dunedin’s deep-rooted commitment to wildlife conservation makes it the ideal champion for the hoiho."
The competition aims to raise awareness of our native wildlife, their habitats and the threats they face.
Many of New Zealand’s native species are in danger of becoming extinct, so they need all the recognition they can get.
The museum has partnered with various local organisations, including Wild Dunedin, Enterprise Dunedin, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, Monarch Wildlife Cruises, the Otago Highlanders rugby team, Emerson’s Brewery, New Zealand Sea Lion Trust, New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust, Royal Albatross Colony and the Department of Conservation’s Coastal Otago office to elevate the hoiho on the national and international stage, as well as protect the unique bird.
With only about 131 breeding pairs left on mainland New Zealand, the hoiho urgently needed support.
Mr Buchan said the city’s unified effort had already gained the support of notable celebrities, including Australia Zoo’s Terri Irwin, Green MP Scott Willis, renowned wildlife specialist Dr Jane Goodall, comedian Tom Sainsbury, New Zealand entertainer Suzy Cato, and former prime minister and United Nations Development Programme chairwoman Helen Clark.
Ms Clark said she was a big supporter of the hoiho and the remarkable work Dunedin’s Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust had been doing for a long time.
"I’m thrilled to see Dunedin, our wildlife capital, championing the hoiho in this year’s Bird of the Year campaign.
"The hoiho, with its distinct call and remarkable resilience, represents the spirit of Aotearoa.
"It is imperative that we protect and preserve this precious species for future generations."
Dr Goodall said the hoiho had always been a "standout", and the conservation efforts around protecting them were "truly inspiring".
"I have visited the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital and seen the work they do firsthand.
"I would love to support the campaign for hoiho as Bird of the Year."
Voting starts on September 2, closes at 5pm on September 15, and the winner will be announced on September 16.
