Leading sustainability company ecostore has thrown its support behind the iconic Tūī in the Forest & Bird’s 2025 Bird of the Year campaign, encouraging New Zealanders to cast their vote for the iconic native.
Ecostore CEO Pablo Kraus said the Tūī is the perfect voice of nature.
“The Tūī has all the hallmarks of a spokesperson to represent our native species on the world stage; beautifully media trained (have you heard that voice?!), iconic and hard-working. It is one of our most important pollinators, helping native forests thrive, and we believe it’s time for it to receive its flowers – or nectar,” he said.
“A vote for Tūī is a vote for nature, and a vote for your world. The Tūī was last crowned Bird of the Year in the inaugural competition in 2005, and what a full circle moment it would be if it were recognised in the 20th year of the competition.”
The Tūī has a special place in ecostore’s heart as it is deeply connected to harakeke, New Zealand flax, which is a hero ingredient in many ecostore products. Harakeke is renowned for its soothing and hydrating properties and has a gentle anti-microbial action.
Ecostore take their campaigning very seriously; the website will have a Tūī take over, and fellow bird watchers can follow along with The Great Tūī Stakeout series on social media.
Eagle-eyed fans will spot OOH billboards across major New Zealand cities, and over 20,000 stickers will be popping up on products in-store.
To further support Forest & Bird’s campaign, ecostore will donate 10 percent of sales online to the organisation, supporting their mahi protecting New Zealand’s wildlife. However, Kraus acknowledged that no matter the outcome, it’s about supporting the wider kaupapa.
“While we support the Tūī, this campaign is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of all our precious manu, and the great work of Forest & Bird”.
Voting for Bird of the Year 2025 opens today, with the winner announced on Monday, the 29th of September.
