Forget the Beehive for a moment — another election campaign is underway across Aotearoa, and kākāpō has taken an early lead in the race for Bird of the Year 2026.
One week into voting for Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau | Bird of the Year 2026, the flightless nocturnal parrot has claimed the top perch, but the contest is far from over with the karure black robin sitting in second place.
This year’s competition features 74 native birds campaigning across six parties, bringing a distinctly election-year flavour to one of the country’s most popular conservation campaigns.
Voting opened at 9am on Friday 4 September and closes at 5pm on Sunday 20 September, with the winner to be announced on Monday 21 September.
KĀKĀPŌ LEADS THE FLOCK
The early leaderboard has kākāpō representing the Floor Birds party in first place.
But the karure black robin from the Shy Birds party is applying pressure in second.
The kārearea New Zealand falcon is third, followed by the famously charismatic kea in fourth, giving the High Birds two candidates inside the top four.
Takahē rounds out the top five, providing the Floor Birds with another serious contender.
THE TOP 10
After the first week of voting, the leaderboard stands at:
- Kākāpō — Floor Birds
- Karure black robin — Shy Birds
- Kārearea New Zealand falcon — High Birds
- Kea — High Birds
- Takahē — Floor Birds
- Tawaki piki toka eastern rockhopper penguin — Sea Birds
- Ruru morepork — Tree Birds
- Toroa ingoingo northern royal albatross — Sea Birds
- Pīwakawaka fantail — Tree Birds
- Hoiho yellow-eyed penguin — Sea Birds
The Sea Birds are particularly well represented, with three candidates currently inside the top 10.
MORE THAN A POPULARITY CONTEST
Behind the fun, campaigning and fierce loyalties, Bird of the Year has a serious conservation purpose.
The competition puts attention on Aotearoa’s extraordinary native manu and the challenges facing many species and their habitats.
From predator pressure and habitat loss to climate and environmental change, many of the birds competing for the crown are also reminders of the continuing work required to protect indigenous biodiversity.
For Māori, manu also carry deep connections to whakapapa, pūrākau, tohu and the natural environment, making their protection part of the wider responsibility of kaitiakitanga.
PLENTY OF TIME FOR A POLITICAL UPSET
With voting remaining open until 20 September, the current leaderboard is anything but a final result.
Campaigning could still propel another candidate up the rankings, while supporters of the karure, kārearea, kea and takahē will be hoping to knock the current frontrunner from its perch.
And in an election year already packed with political contests, this may be the only campaign where being accused of bird-brained politics is actually a compliment.
For now, though, kākāpō has the numbers — and Aotearoa’s wildest election is officially on.
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