John Oliver's Campaign Crowns Pūteketeke as New Zealand's Bird of the Century

Comedian John Oliver successfully campaigned for the pūteketeke, a puking bird with a colorful mullet, to win New Zealand's Bird of the Century contest, beating out the iconic kiwi. The annual contest, held by conservation group Forest and Bird, aims to raise awareness about native bird species. Oliver's humorous campaign, which included billboards, a plane banner, and a bird costume, garnered over 350,000 verified votes, temporarily crashing the voting system. Despite some controversy, the pūteketeke emerged as the winner, highlighting New Zealand's unique wildlife and the nation's deep connection to nature.