Little-known pīwauwau rock wren named as New Zealand’s 2022 bird of the year

Rare alpine species captures narrow win over koror penguin after campaign marked by controversy

The pwauwau rock wren, a diminutive mountain-dwelling underdog, has come out on top in New Zealand's annual bird of the year competition after a hard-fought campaign again marked by controversy.

The rare alpine species - which weighs less than 20g, about as much as a MallowPuff biscuit - beat out a number of higher-profile and charismatic competitors.