The hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin won New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year vote, after a fierce contest without the foreign interference and controversies that have upset the country's avian elections before.

A shy and rare penguin has been crowned the winner of New Zealand’s Bird of the Year contest, raising awareness about its conservation needs amid threats from invasive species and diseases. After last year’s controversial result—in which comedian John Oliver spearheaded a campaign to crown the pūteketeke as champion—this year’s contest was

Hoiho was endorsed by former prime minister and legendary conservationists, making it highest-powered campaign of the 2024 vote

The yellow-eyed penguin or 'Hoiho' won New Zealand's Bird of the Year for 2024. Bird of the Year is an annual election-based competition run by the New Zealand conservation organisation Forest & Bird. First launched in October 2005, the competition aims to raise awareness of the conservation threats to many endangered native birds.

The birds, sometimes referred to as hoihos, have dropped in numbers by 78% over the past 15 years - with one campaigner hoping its victory in the competition will lead to "tangible support".

The yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho, has been crowned New Zealand's Bird of the Year for 2024, securing 6,328 votes for its second win in the popular annual competition. The hoiho, considered the world's rarest penguin species by competition organisers Forest and Bird,

In a year devoid of foreign interference and voting scandals, one of the world's rarest penguins has been declared New Zealand 's "Bird of the Year." The endangered yellow-eyed penguin, also known as hoiho,

The yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho, has won New Zealand's Bird of the Year 2024, earning 6,328 votes. Known as the world's rarest penguin, it beat the Chatham Island black robin and the kakapo. Despite a decline in population due to predators and climate change,