New Zealand’s karure, or Chatham Island black robin, has been named Bird of the Year 2026, winning the annual conservation competition organised by Forest & Bird. The small, endangered bird received over 25,000 votes, finishing ahead of the kākāpō and the New Zealand falcon. The contest recorded a record turnout of more than 105,000 voters. The black robin is a remarkable conservation success story. In 1980, only five birds remained, but sustained conservation efforts helped its population recover to around 350 adults. Despite this recovery, the species remains critically endangered, and conservationists are working to establish a new population with safe habitat to support its long-term survival.