John Oliver’s beloved avian icon seizes glory as New Zealand’s ‘Bird of the Century’

admin 2024年1月26日

©Peter Foulds/Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society via AP

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/

[noun] – knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation or subject at the present time based on information or experience
Her awareness of environmental issues grew after attending the school’s Earth Day program.

campaign /kam-PEYN/

[noun] – a planned group of especially political, business, or military activities that are intended to achieve a particular aim
The candidate launched a campaign to improve public safety in the neighborhood.

distinctive /dih-STINGK-tiv /

[adjective] – marking something as clearly different from others
The distinctive aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen.

verified /VER-uh-fahyd/

[adjective] – proven to be true, accurate, or confirmed through evidence or authentication
The online marketplace only allowed transactions with verified payment methods to ensure a secure and reliable buying experience for users.

controversy /KON-truh-vur-see/

[noun] – a lot of disagreement or argument about something, usually because it affects or is important to many people
The controversial decision sparked a heated controversy among the community members.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

In New Zealand, a bird known as the Pūteketeke or the ‘puking’ bird has been named the Bird of the Century, winning a public poll with over 290,000 votes. This victory, supported by comedian John Oliver, highlights the bird’s unique features, adorable parenting style, and its tendency to “puke.” The annual competition, started in 2005, aims to raise awareness about New Zealand’s native birds, many of which are at risk due to habitat loss. John Oliver’s influential campaign caused online voting systems to crash, emphasizing the significance of supporting threatened species like the pūteketeke, whose numbers are gradually increasing. Recognized for its distinctive black and white feathers, this water bird faced near-extinction in the 19th century and remains under threat today, with conservation efforts crucial for its survival.

Comedian John Oliver successfully campaigned for the Pūteketeke to be named the Bird of the Century in New Zealand’s annual event, usually called Bird of the Year. The competition, renamed for its centennial, faced challenges when Oliver exploited a loophole, allowing anyone with a valid email address to vote, causing a two-day delay in announcing the winner due to overwhelming foreign interference. Oliver’s humorous campaign, featuring billboards in various cities, a plane banner, and a bird costume on a TV show, drew attention to the conservation of native birds in New Zealand. The Pūteketeke’s victory, with over 350,000 verified votes, showcased the success of Oliver’s “high-powered” campaign and the importance of raising awareness about threatened species, despite past controversies in the competition.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you ever participated in a public vote or poll, like the Bird of the Century competition in New Zealand? If yes, what was your experience, and did you feel your participation made a meaningful impact? If not, would you be interested in taking part in such events, and what factors would influence your decision?
Have you ever been involved in or witnessed a campaign, either for a cause or in the context of a competition, similar to John Oliver’s campaign for the Pūteketeke? If yes, how did the campaign impact your perception of the cause or the competition? If not, can you imagine the potential influence such a campaign might have on your opinion or engagement?
Did you find John Oliver’s campaign for the Pūteketeke in the Bird of the Century competition effective in raising awareness about the conservation of native birds in New Zealand?
Considering the potential impact of foreign interference due to the loophole exploited by John Oliver in the voting system, do you think online polls and competitions should have more stringent regulations to ensure the integrity of the results? How might this be balanced with the goal of engaging a global audience?
Reflecting on the controversies mentioned in the article, such as fraudulent votes and the crowning of a bat as the winner in a previous year, what measures could be implemented to improve the transparency and credibility of competitions focused on conservation and environmental causes? How might these measures influence public trust in such events?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

habitat
humorous
influential
interference
significance