Previous winners

It's reigning wrens!

From underbird to wonderbird, the rock wren was New Zealand's Bird of the Year 2022. 

New Zealand's only true alpine bird, this little cutie lives its entire life cycle – from egg to parent – in the snow and ice of the mighty Southern Alps. With giant feet like snowshoes, and talons like crampons, these floofs are Aotearoa NZ's original mountaineers! 

Past Champions

A look back at our esteemed BOTY winners

Rock wren
2022

Rock wren

Long-tailed bat
2021

Long-tailed bat

Kākāpō
2020

Kākāpō

Yellow-eyed penguin
2019

Yellow-eyed penguin

Kererū
2018

Kererū

Kea
2017

Kea

Kōkako
2016

Kōkako

Bar-tailed godwit
2015

Bar-tailed godwit

Fairy tern
2014

Fairy tern

Yellowhead
2013

Yellowhead

New Zealand falcon
2012

New Zealand falcon

Pūkeko
2011

Pūkeko

Kākāriki
2010

Kākāriki

Kiwi
2009

Kiwi

Kākāpō
2008

Kākāpō

Grey warbler
2007

Grey warbler

Fantail
2006

Fantail

Tūī
2005

Tūī

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