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Radio broadcaster Hayley Holt, singer Barnaby Weir, United Future leader Peter Dunne, and TV personality Wallace Chapman will be just a few of the New Zealanders going into battle for their favourite native bird in Forest & Bird’s annual Bird of the Year poll, which opens tomorrow.

The poll, in its ninth year, aims to raise the profile of New Zealand’s bird species.

Each year well-known New Zealanders come on board to champion their favourite bird, as campaign managers in the Bird of the Year poll. In past years campaign managers have gone to great lengths to put their bird in the limelight, making videos, running social media campaigns, and designing and printing campaign posters.

This year radio broadcaster Hayley Holt has a head-start because her favourite bird – the critically endangered fairy tern – is tattooed onto her body.

Several organisations – such as Weta Workshop and Sustainable Coastlines – will also be taking up the role as birdy ambassadors.

Last year, comedian Raybon Kan campaigned fiercely for the kārearea with the tagline “NZ’s got talons,” and won the title with 1,261 hard-earned votes.

Forest & Bird’s Advocacy Manager, Kevin Hackwell, says the passionately-contested poll is a great way to learn about the conservation issues our native birds face.

“As well as underlining the quirks of our native birds, the poll helps to highlight some of the threats they face.”

Previous winners include the tui (2005), fantail/piwakawaka (2006), grey warbler/riroriro (2007), kakapo (2008), kiwi (2009), kakariki (2010), pukeko (2011), and the karearea (2012).

Voting runs from 9am Monday September 30 until 5pm, October 28 at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz

Contact: Kevin Hackwell 021 227 8420

Tags: birds