Council backs election candidate

Published on 19 September 2025

Waitaki urged to unite behind popular local candidate.

Waitaki District Council is formally supporting a candidate this year, but don’t worry – there’s no fowl play at work, and we’re not sticking our beak into the Local Elections.

After the success of Waianakarua’s Chook Tree in the NZ Tree of the Year vote in August, Council is encouraging the community to get behind another local legend – the Kororā, or little blue penguin.

No spin, no speeches – just one very cute bird on the ballot.

With the rebrand of Ōamaru Penguins happening this month, and the launch of their refreshed visitor experience and exhibition – there’s never been a better time to ensure the Kororā wins NZ Bird of the Year for the first time ever.

Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher says, “If you want to vote for a candidate with personality, a strong work ethic, is prepared to make a noise when necessary, and is very adaptable, you can't do better than vote for the kororā!”

Our noisy, but mischievous local penguin population is well known to those living in Coastal Otago. The species itself is in some trouble, but thanks to the work of the Ōamaru Penguins, North Otago is one of the places they are thriving.

Unlike the Local Elections, the Bird of the Year is an online vote – and voting ends on Sunday 29 September 2025. You can go to the Bird of the Year website now - birdoftheyear.org.nz

And if you’ve enjoyed that, why not mail back your Local Election ballot by Tuesday 7 October 2025, or drop it into one of our ballot bins by midday on Saturday 11 October.

Waitaki District Council maintains strict neutrality on its human election candidates, but makes an exception for those up for Bird or Tree related votes.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz