Home / New ZealandBird of the Year: Pīwauwau / rock wren crowned as 2022 winnerRNZ30 Oct, 2022 07:18 PMQuick ReadSubscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereListening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditCrown agency Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa Outdoor Access Commission has created a rap song for the one and only, Bird of the Year, pīwauwau / rock wren. Video / SuppliedBy RNZThe pīwauwau / rock wren is the winner of the Bird of the Year contest for 2022.The winner of the country’s most popular competition was announced on RNZ’s Morning Report today. By yesterday three frontrunners had emerged: the pīwauwau / rock wren, the kea, and the kororā / little blue penguin. AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.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.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Last year’s competition proved controversial with the long-tailed bat prevailing.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditLatest from New ZealandPoliticsWatch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in Auckland New ZealandKiwi rower apologises, cops booze ban over post-regatta incident in SeattleNew ZealandNZ Herald News Update: July 18, 2025WatchSponsoredSolar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night skyAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
