'The bogan of the birds' - Jacinda Ardern reveals her choice for Bird of the Year

October 5, 2018

Labour, the Greens and NZ First were asked if the diverse bird choices would cause cracks in the coalition.

The Prime Minister has revealed her pick for top bird for the Bird of the Year competition. 

"I was the ambassador for the black petrel (tāiko) some years ago, I didn't manage to get Bird of the Year so I've been rooting for it ever since," she said. 

"It's the bogan of the birds."

National Party leader Simon Bridges has given his allegiance to the takahē, tweeting today: "Saw some at Zealandia last month – beautiful and interesting birds."

Mr Bridges gave his apologies to deputy National Partly leader Paula Bennett, who gave the kererū her vote. 

Labour MP Megan Woods said she would go for the "Canterybury battler" (the kakī) and fellow MP Stuart Nash was going for the kiwi.

Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick was part of the kererū campaign and NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft had her vote on the tākapu (gannet). 

When asked if the differing views was a sign of cracks in the coalition, Ms Swarbrick said it was "democracy in action".

"It just shows all New Zealand birds are important, right?" Mr Nash said. 

Click here to read about the feathered contenders. 

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