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Kiwis Flock to Elect Mysterious Raptor as Bird of the Year
29 Sep, 2025
Summary
- New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year contest attracts passionate fandom
- This year's winner is the kārearea, a threatened New Zealand falcon
- The election sees volunteer campaign managers promote their favorite birds
On September 29th, 2025, New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year contest concluded with the crowning of the kārearea, the Indigenous Māori name for the New Zealand falcon, as the winner. The election, run by the conservation group Forest & Bird, has grown from a simple email poll in 2025 to a hotly contested cultural moment, attracting passionate fandom from bird-obsessed Kiwis.
Behind the memes, mayhem, and dance routines performed in bird costumes, the contest serves a serious purpose. New Zealand is home to a diverse array of native bird species, with 80% designated as being in trouble to some degree. The election draws attention to these threatened species, with volunteer campaign managers applying to stump for their favorite feathered friends.
The kārearea, a majestic raptor capable of flying at speeds over 200 km/h, emerged victorious this year, securing over 14,500 votes in the poll. While the true population of the endemic species is unknown, official figures suggest between 5,000 and 8,000 New Zealand falcons remain, making the bird's win a significant moment for conservation efforts.
