This September marks 20 years of Bird of the Year – two decades of campaigning, scandal, surprises – all sparking action for our unique manu. Here’s how to get ready for this year’s vote.

This year SOHS are getting behind Mohua for Bird of the Year. Mohua are a bird no longer common on the mainland but one of the only places you can now see this elusive bird on the mainland is in the Catlins (you can also see them on Ulva Island)! Make sure a vote goes to our little local bird when you are voting!

Key dates 

• Voting opens: 9am Monday 15 September 
• Voting closes: 5pm Sunday 28 September 
• Winner announced: Monday 29 September 

A new way to vote  You can still vote for up to five birds, but you no longer need to rank them. Each manu you choose gets the same number of points. To win, your favourite needs as many individual votes as possible, so wrangle all your friends and family to vote for your favourite.

Ngā mihi,

Mrs Murdoch – Teacher of Biology and Science