The annual Bird of the Year competition in New Zealand announced the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon, as the 2025 winner on Monday, September 29, 2025. The election, organized by conservation group Forest & Bird, began in 2005 as a small online poll but has become a significant cultural event. This year’s contest recorded more than 75,000 votes, with 87 percent cast from within the country. The kārearea, capable of flying over 200 kilometers per hour, received more than 14,500 votes. Forest & Bird explained that the competition aims to highlight the precarious condition of native birds, of which 80 percent are classified as threatened. New Zealand is known for its unique wildlife, as birds dominate the ecosystem due to the absence of native land mammals apart from two bat species. The falcon, described as cryptic and difficult to observe, remains vulnerable because of habitat loss and dangers such as electrocution from power lines.

The election has evolved into a dynamic campaign with volunteers promoting their chosen birds through posters, memes, and performances. Experts emphasized that the event not only celebrates biodiversity but also raises awareness of declining populations, with the kārearea estimated at between 5,000 and 8,000 individuals. In previous years, controversies influenced results, including the unexpected victory of a bat in 2021 and an international interference scandal in 2018. The 2023 campaign attracted global attention when foreign media personalities supported the pūteketeke, resulting in a record turnout of 290,000 votes. Forest & Bird expressed concern that reduced government investment could hinder conservation, despite the importance of birdlife for tourism and national identity. Observers considered the kārearea a deserving victor, calling it fast, enigmatic, and emblematic of New Zealand’s avian heritage.