Forest & Bird announces election dates for 2026 Bird of the Year

Election year is on not just for the country's politicians, but also for Aotearoa's manu.

Forest & Bird have set the date for Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau - Bird of the Year 2026 voting, set to kick off from 4 September and close on 20 September.

Forest & Bird's Group Manager Rebecca Hatch they were "leaning all the way in" for election year.

"As well as competing for Bird of the Year votes as individual candidates, the birds have grouped into parties. Naturally, those parties come complete with manu-festos - with lots of puns."

Each vote cast for a bird will also count towards its party's total, she said.

This means the election will reveal not only the bird of the year but the favourite flock.

The six bird parties standing in 2026 are:

  • Sea birds and Tree birds - the ocean-goers versus the forest chorus
  • Shore birds and Floor birds - the water bloc versus the flightless battlers
  • Shy birds and High birds - the quiet caucus versus the high living

"This year's chaos comes complete with polls, swing voters, endorsements, and the odd bit of flocka-jumping if someone changes sides. It's democracy, but for birds, and it is about to get loud," Hatch said.

While the jokes are good fun, Forest & Bird said the election aimed to advocate for more than 80 percent of native birds that are in some or serious trouble. It aimed to highlight conservation work such as predator control, habitat restoration, and a louder voice for nature.

"Every vote puts a bird in the spotlight, and every bird in the spotlight is a bird more people will care about and fight for. That is the whole point."

Forest & Bird are also calling for campaign managers to give each of these manu a platform.

It's not just an online campaign with 154 school already signed up to run their own classroom votes. Forest & Bird said schools are something like special voter and their votes are counted at the end and can change the outcome.

The winner will be announced on 21 September and will have a song created in its honour.