A remarkable bird.

With a big FUTURE.

Kiwi pukupuku | little spotted kiwi is in the national spotlight this September, with the smallest of our kiwi species being championed for Bird of the Year 2026.

It comes at an extraordinary time for the species. In 2025, a population of kiwi pukupuku was confirmed in remote South Westland — the first known wild mainland population in almost 50 years. Nine birds have since been confirmed, including breeding pairs, opening an important new chapter in the conservation of this threatened species.

Two chicks and two eggs from the rediscovered population were brought into specialist care at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, drawing on almost 30 years of kiwi husbandry expertise to help protect these particularly vulnerable young birds.

Now kiwi pukupuku is gaining attention across Aotearoa again, with RealNZ backing the species for Bird of the Year and taking its campaign mascot, Lil’ Puku, on a journey from Cape Reinga to Fiordland. Voting runs from 4–20 September 2026.

For The Willowbank Foundation, it is another opportunity to celebrate a remarkable little bird — and shine a light on the specialist care, collaboration and long-term commitment needed to secure its future.

Small bird. Remarkable story. A future worth protecting.