Hoiho: Rare shy penguin wins New Zealand's bird of the year vote

More than 50,000 people voted in the competition - which has in the past been marred by controversy.

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More than 50,000 people voted in the competition - which has in the past seen its fair share of scandal - including claims of foreign interference and allegations of cheating.

Last year, the pūteketeke won the competition after comedian John Oliver threw his weight behind it, launching a campaign that involved him dressing up as the bird, complete with a striking burnt-orange mullet.

Thought to be one of the world's rarest penguin species, the hoiho can be found only in New Zealand.

According to Forest & Bird, the organisation that runs the competition, the hoiho secured a victory with 6,328 votes - ahead of the Karure Chatham Island black robin with more than 5,000 votes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg00xp0442o

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