For a century Forest & Bird has worked with supporters, members, communities and government to protect and restore Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment and native species. Funded solely by memberships, donations and bequests, the organisation is a singular voice for nature. Each year the organisation runs internationally recognised fundraising campaign Bird of the Year.
In the weeks leading up to the announcement of the winner, volunteers around the country campaigned for individual birds – you may remember last year’s international interference that saw the pūteketeke win Bird of the Century. Voting is based on an instant runoff voting system, which is similar to the system used in New Zealand local elections. When people vote, they rank up to five of their favourite birds. NZ Post Collectables campaigned for the pīwakawaka.
Hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin
This is the hoiho's second time winning Bird of the Year, this time receiving 6,328 votes to take top place. With an enthusiastic campaign by Ōtepoti Dunedin locals, the bird was also endorsed by conservationist Dr Jane Goodall.
To celebrate this often controversial competition and Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique and precious wildlife, we’ve issued a special stamp sheet featuring the hoiho on the stamps, with illustrations by artist Melissa Boardman.
Melissa loves Aotearoa New Zealand’s birds and has created a large body of work dedicated to manu. Her original illustrations are based on her own photographs and she loves sharing her experiences in nature. Melissa uses gouache paint as a medium, making the most of its textures to complement her bold and descriptive illustrative style. Each illustration is created with tiny individual brush strokes.
