Pūteketeke wins Bird of the Century, thanks to John Oliver

The pūteketeke has been crowned New Zealand's Bird of the Century after US talk show host John Oliver's controversial intervention in the poll. Oliver sparked a global frenzy with an "alarmingly aggressive" campaign for the vulnerable crested grebe. Fewer than 3,000 of the native birds are estimated to remain in the wild. The Bird of the Year contest has run for almost two decades, but this year's special poll attracted a record number of votes.

Newshour's Nuala McGovern talks to Nicola Toki, chief executive of The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand

Photo: Puteketekes are pictured in Lake Alexandrina, Mackenzie Country, South Island, New Zealand, in this undated handout photo. Leanne Buchan/Handout via REUTERS