This Content Is Only For Subscribers
Forget policy debates and political polls for a second – there’s another vote that needs your attention and these little candidates are a heck of a lot cuter.
The 16 kororā (little penguins) at the National Aquarium of New Zealand’s Penguin Cove in Napier are vying for the coveted title of Penguin of the Year 2026.
Now in its ninth year, the world-famous competition will see each resident penguin star in its own Hollywood-style movie trailer across the National Aquarium’s Facebook and Instagram channels.
Defending champion Dave secured the youth vote last year thanks to his viral skater-boy video, and support of skate venue, Bay Skate Napier. But fans of long-time runner-up Mo insist he was robbed and will be campaigning for him to claim the crown.
“The Mo fans are very passionate – they leave some pretty enthusiastic comments on the social posts!” says Amy Stevens, education manager at the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
Amy says global interest in the competition “blows aquarium staff away” every year. Over the past eight competitions, more than 60,000 votes have poured in from all over the globe, with massive followings across the United States, United Kingdom and South America.
“People love how cute they are and how each penguin has its own distinct personality and backstory,” says Amy.
“We even had a fan in America get a tattoo of Mo despite never visiting New Zealand. And another international fan built a spambot to cast thousands of votes for her favourite penguin. Our IT team were onto it though!”
To thank voters, those who engage in the competition’s social posts will go in the draw to win a virtual penguin encounter and meet their preferred feathered friend via a video call.
It’s a lot of fun for penguin fans, but behind it all lies a crucial conservation message. The National Aquarium of New Zealand’s bird keeper Rebekah Cuthbert says the candidates for Penguin of the Year have arrived at the aquarium’s sanctuary sick, malnourished or injured.
“Penguin of the Year raises awareness of the plight of kororā. These little troupers live right along our coastline – at Ahuriri, Cape Kidnappers and Ocean Beach, but most people don’t realise they’re there,” Rebekah says.
“Dog walkers, for example, might not think twice about letting their dog run off-lead by coastal rocks. But it just takes one little nip in a burrow and the owner doesn’t even know what’s happened.”
Voting for Penguin of the Year happens via the National Aquarium’s website and closes Sunday September 13th at 5pm. The winner will be announced on Monday September 14th.
In the meantime, the team is keen to share the message about keeping kororā safe.
1. Keep dogs on leads: Never let dogs roam near coastal rocks.
2. Clean up beaches: Kororā have been seen taking people’s rubbish back to their burrows as nesting material, which is very dangerous.
3. Douse beach fires: Fully extinguish fires and douse the area with water so penguins don’t burn their feet when returning to their burrows at night.
