In a classic case of tall poppy syndrome, the kākāpō has been booted out of the annual Bird of the Year competition because it's taking the spotlight from lesser-known birds.
The organisation behind the competition, Forest and Bird, said the "political playing field is wide open" for the prestigious title with the fan favourite kākāpō notably absent from the competition.
The flightless parrot has stepped aside from Bird of the Year 2022 to give the other birds some "love and attention".
The humble kākāpō is the only bird to win twice, in 2020 and 2008. However, this year the reigning champon won't appear in the competition to give the 'underbirds' a chance.
"Aotearoa is home to so many fantastic birds, and we'd love for voters to check out the full suite of candidates – including the underbirds, who are often overlooked and underappreciated," Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki said.
"These birds aren't just underbirds in Bird of the Year. With many of them threatened species, they're underbirds in life too."
Toki said the underbirds were chosen based on lack of popularity in previous elections, limited or non-existent media coverage, and conservation status that places them at risk of extinction.
But should the kākāpō be shunned from the competition just because it's better than all the other birds?
Speaking on AM, Ryan Bridge said the kākāpō is a victim of its own popularity.
"This is what's wrong with New Zealand - mediocrity," Bridge said. "We're all heading towards mediocrity. If anyone's better than you, take them out. We can't have them winning twice or three times."
"They're the best. If people like the kākāpō, people like the kākāpō, they don't want to save any other birds. It's brutal but it's business."
Co-host Melissa Chan-Green said it was ridiculous and the other birds have to step up their game to win.
Toki told AM the kākāpō is bowing out of the competition to spend time with family.
It's time to fall in love with some of our lesser-known bird species she said.
"We love to have fun with it, we love to be controversial," Toki said.
Toki said she still hears from people furious about last year's winner the pekapeka long-tailed bat which controversially beat the kākāpō.
"If only we cared so much about the local elections as we do for Bird of the Year," she said.
In addition to the kākāpō taking a hiatus, several other changes are apparent on the 2022 candidate list.
The pekapeka will also be stepping back from the competition and the Cook's petrel will enter for the first time.
Voting for Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau opens Monday 17 October at 9am.
