It’s time to vote for your favourite New Zealand Bird in The Forest and Bird annual NZ Bird of the Year Competition.

KMR are once again backing our partners The Forest Bridge Trust who are championing the Australasian Bittern / Matuku-hūrepo. Go on – give 1 of your 5 votes to this stylish but endangered heron!

Our work protecting and restoring waterways and wetlands helps boost the valuable habitat that Bitterns need to thrive. If you’ve got a wetland, or a waterway you’d like to protect, get in touch with KMR today!

Voting opens today and closes on 15 September – get voting for Team Bittern!

https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/vote/

The Australasian Bittern (Matuku-hūrepo) is a large, elusive heron known for its distinctive booming call, often heard echoing through wetlands. With fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining, this endangered species relies on dense reed beds and freshwater swamps for survival. The Australasian Bittern is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its habitat.

Conservation efforts are critical to protect and restore the wetlands they depend on, ensuring the survival of these remarkable birds.

Please share your Bittern photos and stories with KMR, and help us increase awareness around one of our precious taonga species in the Kaipara Moana catchment.