VOTE KORORĀ!
The polls are open, and it’s time to vote for your favourite manu!
Ōamaru Penguins is excited to be the official campaign manager for the little penguin/kororā in Forest & Bird’s Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau | Bird of the Year 2026.
Bird of the Year is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most beloved wildlife competitions, bringing people together to celebrate our incredible native birds while shining a spotlight on the challenges many of them face.
This year, native birds from around the country are competing for the coveted title of Bird of the Year and we’re proud to be championing one of New Zealand’s smallest, most charismatic and hardest-working seabirds.
Why vote kororā?
Little penguins, or kororā, may be the world’s smallest penguin species, but they lead extraordinary lives.
Every day, they head out to sea to forage, diving beneath the waves in search of food before returning to land under the cover of darkness. Here in Ōamaru, we’re incredibly lucky to have a thriving little penguin colony right in the heart of our town.
Each evening, visitors and locals can witness the remarkable sight of kororā returning from a day at sea and making their way back to their nests.
They may be small, but they have big personalities and they certainly have our vote.
More than just a competition
Behind the fun, campaigning and friendly rivalry, Bird of the Year has an important conservation purpose.
The competition, organised by Forest & Bird, celebrates Aotearoa’s extraordinary native birds and encourages people to learn more about them. It also provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the conservation challenges facing our wildlife.
More than 80% of New Zealand’s native bird species are in some or serious trouble.
For kororā, life is not always easy. Little penguins depend on healthy marine environments and safe places to nest. They face challenges both on land and at sea, including introduced predators, disturbance and changes to the marine environment.
By putting birds in the spotlight, Bird of the Year helps more people discover the incredible species we share Aotearoa with and hopefully inspires them to care about their future.
Why we're campaigning for the little penguin
At Ōamaru Penguins, we are lucky enough to see just how remarkable kororā are every day.
Our work focuses on protecting and supporting the little penguins that live and breed here in Ōamaru, while also learning more about their lives at sea and the challenges they face.
We know that there is much more to a little penguin than its famous evening waddle.
Kororā are determined and resilient seabirds. They can travel considerable distances to find food, dive beneath the ocean in pursuit of prey and return night after night to their breeding colonies.
They are also an important reminder of the close connection between land and sea. Protecting little penguins means protecting their nesting habitat on land, but it also means understanding and caring for the marine environment they depend on.
And, if we’re being honest, they are also incredibly cute.
How to vote
Voting in Bird of the Year is free, and everyone can get involved.
You can vote for up to five different birds, so while we would absolutely love one of your votes to go to kororā, you can also show some support for four other fantastic native birds. Voting closes on the 20th of September 2026.
To make sure your vote counts:
1. Visit the Bird of the Year website and select your favourite birds.
2. Choose the little penguin/kororā as one of your five votes.
3. Enter your name and email address.
4. Check your inbox and click the link to validate your vote.
Don't forget that final step! Your vote won't be counted until it has been verified.
Help us spread the word
Leading up to the 20th, we’ll be sharing some of our favourite little penguin facts, stories and campaign updates.
You can help by sharing our posts, telling your friends and family, and encouraging others to learn more about kororā.
So, whether you’re a long-time penguin enthusiast, a regular visitor to Ōamaru, or simply someone who appreciates a small bird with a very big personality, we’d love your support.
Small penguin. Big personality. Important future.
A vote for the little penguin is a vote for one of Aotearoa’s most remarkable little seabirds.
Vote little penguin. Vote kororā. Vote for the birds we love.