A shy and rare penguin has been crowned the winner of New Zealand’s Bird of the Year contest, raising awareness about its conservation needs amid threats from invasive species and diseases. After last year’s controversial result—in which comedian John Oliver spearheaded a campaign to crown the pūteketeke as champion—this year’s contest was

A shy yellow-eyed penguin has come out on top of one of New Zealand's most contested competitions to win Bird of the Year. 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.

The hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin won New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year vote, after a fierce contest without the foreign interference and controversies that have upset the country's avian elections before.