There's outrage in bird circles over some high-level foreign interference in Forest and Bird's popular Bird of the Century competition.
American celebrity talk show host John Oliver has thrown his weight behind the Pūteketeke or Australian crested grebe - and he's out to win.
It's understood more than 10,000 people flooded the Forest and Bird website Monday night to vote for the Pūteketeke.
Team Kiwi is crying foul.
Save the Kiwi campaign executive director Michelle Impey spoke to Charlotte Cook.
