Consternation in New Zealand as native bat included in bird of the year poll

Winged mammal is the first non-bird to be included in the beloved annual poll, which has been running for 16 years

New Zealand's bird of the year competition has been hit with a flurry of controversy, after a species of native bat was granted entry into the polls.

Candidates for the beloved annual election released today included shock newcomer the long-tailed bat, or pekapeka-tou-roa. It is the first time a New Zealand native land mammal has been included in the competition, which has been running for 16 years.