27 October 2016
Weka the video star yet underdog for Bird of the Year
The Weka is a caramel coloured, hen-like, flightless bird unique to New Zealand. The Weka is classified as vulnerable/
threatened due to predation from introduced predators like rats, mustelids, feral cats and dogs. Many New Zealanders
have never seen a Weka; yet many of our tourists have – believing they’ve spotted a Kiwi in day light.
During the recent Olympics a video of the ‘Weka Olympics’ went viral – and over half a million potential tourists to New
Zealand from China to London claimed they wanted to see a Weka.
Creator of the Weka Olympics video and campaigner for the Weka to win ‘Bird of the Year’, Fiona Powell has made other
videos showcasing the Weka and their prowess for dancing, stealing and being romantics.
While the Weka antics rack up the most video views, comments, shares and likes, their votes for ‘Bird of the Year’ lag
far behind – just over 200, when they need over 2000 to win.
“The Weka is a curious, bold and feisty bird – but it’s also threatened by predators being flightless,” says Powell. “We
want to raise awareness of their vulnerability by winning Bird of the Year.
“Anyone who has met a Weka has a memorable experience (especially our tourists). They describe their interaction with
great hilarity; usually how the Weka - with great stealth - stole food, or a spoon or a bag. Or pecked someone’s toes.
But the Weka is always forgiven. It’s almost a rite of passage for our visitors to meet a Weka,” says Powell.
Unfortunately, like many of our native birds, Weka are also vulnerable to introduced predators – especially being
flightless.
And to prove the vulnerability of the Weka, both ‘Weka for Bird of the Year’ campaigners have sadly lost their favourite
Weka. “W the Weka, the star of most of my videos, disappeared about three weeks before the campaign, and has not been
seen since. I miss his antics and his presence after a year of him popping up every day,” says Powell, who lives on a
pest free island in the Hauraki Gulf.
Meanwhile ‘Jonny Prepper’ last sighted his resident Weka family of Jeffrey and Sky (and offspring Max and Hope) four
weeks before the campaign. Prepper’s Nelson property is a thoroughfare for feral cats and pigs which he traps regularly.
“A vote for Weka to win ‘Bird of the Year’ will raise awareness of the Weka, both their cheeky personalities and their
vulnerability to predators,” says Powell.
Voting for ‘Bird of the Year’ closes 30th October at 5pm and the winner will be announcedMonday morning. Vote at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Watch Weka videos:
Meet the mighty but vulnerable Weka: https://youtu.be/uac0YInsqaE
Meet W the Weka – and follow a day in his life: https://youtu.be/7DT3JQC6S80
ENDS