Hoiho has been crowned the Bird of the Year.

Its the first win for seabirds in the competition's 14 year history.

It was neck and neck with the kākāpō for much of the two week competition - only edging ahead in the final few days.

"It was so close between these two amazing endangered birds, it was impossible to predict a winner for most of the competition," said Forest & Bird spokesperson Megan Hubscher.

The hoiho is the world's rarest penguin, with only 225 pairs remaining on mainland New Zealand in 2018/19.

Hoiho face numerous threats including warming oceans leading to changes in food availability, bottom trawling damaging feeding grounds, being caught in fishing nets, and disturbance from humans.

During the campaign for Bird of the Year, hoiho was teased for being the bird most likely to take a date to McDonald's for a Fillet-O-Fish, said Forest and Bird.

Bittern ran a single issue campaign of being the bird most able to imitate a stick.

"Bird of the Year has become a national passion, and that's thanks to everyone relentlessly and ruthlessly promoting their favourite bird's weirdest qualities to the globe," said Hubscher.

"Our birds are so incredible and unique. All New Zealand birds are winners."