The winner of New Zealand’s Bird of the Century contest was officially declared as comedian John Oliver’s favored water bird, the pūteketeke. Oliver’s foreign interference in the voting process resulted in the group Forest and Bird experiencing difficulties in tallying the votes and naming the winning bird. This year’s annual event was particularly special as it marked the centennial of the group’s efforts to raise awareness of the country’s native bird species that are facing extinction.
The American comedian took advantage of a loophole in the voting rules, resulting in a record-breaking number of verified votes from a global audience. In addition to launching a “The Lord of the Wings” campaign, Oliver used various creative tactics, including erecting billboards and displaying banners in cities around the world.
The final vote tally was kept under wraps, but Forest and Bird confirmed the receipt of more than 350,000 verified votes, a six-fold increase from the previous record. Ultimately, it was the high-powered campaign by Oliver that brought widespread attention to New Zealand’s unique avian wildlife, generating both controversy and excitement throughout the competition.
The conservation group expressed their astonishment at the overwhelming response and the impact of Oliver’s campaign, which resulted in the temporary crash of their voting verification system. With the ultimate win by the pūteketeke, or the Australasian crested grebe, it highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to protecting its wildlife. Despite ongoing challenges and controversies, the Bird of the Century contest has continued to capture global interest and support for the conservation of the nation’s unique bird species.
