The kororā / little blue penguin is the runner-up this year. Photo: Supplied / Julie Chandelier via RNZ. The diminutive alpine dweller narrowly defeated the little blue penguin to take the top spot, with nearly 3000 voters putting it in the top spot.
Pīwauwau campaign leader Stephen Day said the bird had definitely flown under the radar until now.
“Unless you’d spent some time in the mountains, you’d probably never heard of a rock wren until two weeks ago. It’s a true underbird.”
The two-time champion kākāpō was barred from the ballot, as the organisers, Forest and Bird, decided to make this year all about the underbirds.
Last year’s competition proved controversial with the long-tailed bat prevailing.
