The black robin, once down to a single breeding pair, won New Zealand’s Bird of the Year 2026 with 98,920 validated votes, 88% from within the country. The victory highlights both a conservation milestone and the bird’s cultural significance amid ongoing threats.
The black robin, once the world’s rarest bird, clinched New Zealand’s Bird of the Year 2026 title with 98,920 validated votes, according to Forest and Bird. The tiny, black-plumaged species, known as karure in Māori, saw 88% of its supporters come from Aotearoa New Zealand, marking a sharp contrast to the 2023 contest, where 85% of votes originated overseas. The win capped a decades-long recovery effort that revived the species from five individuals in the 1980s to around 350 today.
A Conservation Miracle and Its Limits
The black robin’s journey from near-extinction to Bird of the Year champion is a testament to New Zealand’s conservation work. By the 1970s, only five birds remained, all descended from a single breeding pair—Old Blue and Old Yellow. A pioneering program that used other species to foster their eggs helped the population rebound, though the species remains “threatened.”
While the birds live on predator-free islands, those small islands are nearly at capacity in terms of good black robin territory,
said Rebecca Hatch, Forest and Bird’s Group Manager, Growing Support. For the population to keep growing, a third population needs to be established on another island.
The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust is working to remove feral cats from Pitt Island, a key step in expanding habitat.
The victory also underscores the bird’s cultural resonance. Jess Mackenzie, spokesperson for the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust, called the black robin “really cute” and noted its black plumage and pointy black beak.
The species, known as “kakaruia” in Māori and “karure” in Morirori, has long been a symbol of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.
The Bird of the Year Competition: Record Votes, Unprecedented Rivalry
This year’s Bird of the Year contest saw a record 105,000 votes, with the black robin narrowly edging out the kākāpō, New Zealand’s heaviest parrot, and the kārearea, the country’s only falcon. The competition, run by conservation group Forest and Bird, was launched 20 years ago to raise awareness about native birds, many of which are threatened, on the brink of extinction or already extinct due to the introduction of pests, human activity and declining habitats.
Forest and Bird’s Rebecca Hatch emphasized the contest’s role in spotlighting endangered species. More than 80% of our native birds are in some or serious trouble,
she said. 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.
The race was tightly contested, with the black robin surpassing the kākāpō in the final days. The kākāpō came second, and the 2025 winner, the country’s only falcon, the kārearea, finished third. Fourth and fifth place went to the kea and takahē respectively. Other contenders included tawaki piki toka eastern rockhopper penguin.
A Record-Breaking Turnout and Global Attention
Voter participation surged this year, with over 98,920 validated votes cast—a significant jump from the 75,000 recorded in 2025. The majority of these votes came from within New Zealand, reflecting growing public engagement with conservation. People have really turned out for nature in record numbers this year—participation has soared,
Hatch said.
The contest also drew international attention, with the kākāpō’s campaign not matching 2023’s Bird of the Century, which had more than 350,000 votes—nearly 300,000 alone for the pūteketeke after a campaign by British-American comedian and talkshow host John Oliver. This year, Forest and Bird partnered with LEGO to release BOTY Brick Kits
designed by Mike Murray (@bricks.by.mike_), while businesses and classrooms across the country hosted voting drives. The competition’s popularity has even inspired a “Wordle for bird nerds” launched last year at Birdle.nz, with over 600,000 games played by 61,000 unique players by early May 2026.
What’s Next for the Black Robin?
Despite the victory, conservationists warn the black robin’s future remains uncertain. The species’ reliance on small, predator-free islands means its survival hinges on expanding to a third habitat. The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust is prioritizing the removal of feral cats from Pitt Island, a critical step in creating a sustainable population.
Some of these birds have never won before and it would be great to see some new faces on the podium,
Hatch said, hinting at the broader goal of diversifying conservation efforts. The black robin’s win has already sparked renewed interest in protecting other endangered species.
As the bird of the year, the winner will have a song created in its honour, following the tradition of past winners like last year’s Kārearea by Delaney Davidson and Troy Kingi. Announcements on the artist for the 2026 Waiata Manu will be made on Sunday.
The black robin’s victory is more than a trophy—it’s a reminder of what’s at stake. With native birds facing declining habitats, the race to protect biodiversity is far from over. For now, the black robin’s story offers a glimmer of hope, proving that even conservation projects that brought it back from the brink of extinction can yield remarkable results.