The Royal Cam chick known as 'South Plateau', April 2023
Image: DOC

Name the chick competition

Introduction

Entries for the Name the Chick competition have closed. A vote to select the winner and the chick's new name opens on this webpage in early June.

Submissions to the Name the Chick competition closed Friday, 26 May 2023 at 5 pm.

This year, the competition aimed to enrich how people connect with Royal Cam. 

Entrants to the competition submitted a name alongside a picture showing an action they took to reduce plastic pollution.

We are selecting 10 names for your vote

We are working with Te Poāri a Pukeura to produce a list of top 10 names for public vote.

In early June, the top 10 names will be listed on this webpage, and you will be able to vote for your favourite.

The top voted name will become the name of this year's Royal Cam chick. The main prize will also be awarded to the person who entered that name. 

What entrants could win

The main winning prize and two spot prizes are valued over $500 NZD. Each have been selected to help entrants on their sustainability journey.

Thanks to the Royal Albatross Centre for sponsoring some prizes.

We will pay for any international shipping costs.

Winner's prize pack

The submittor of the winning name and image will win all of the prizes below. All items have been made in New Zealand and are worth up to $59 NZD.

  • Virtual tour of the colony with the Royal Albatross Centre.
  • Zoom chat and catch-up with DOC ranger Sharyn Broni.
  • Albatross t-shirt by Tumbleweed Conservation Tees.
  • Ceramic albatross mug by Louise Thompson-Parker.
  • Bamboo cutlery set by Moana Road.
  • Native NZ rimu easy eco clip by Leadingtech designs.
  • Albatross glass and bamboo drink bottle.
  • Aotearoad Eco friendly deodorant.
  • Recycled wood albatross board by Ocean Shell Studios.
  • Eco felt plant grow bag.
  • Laser Studio bamboo magnet
  • Bird and mammal guide.

Spot prizes

Spot prizes will be awarded to two entrants during the competition.

  • Hemp shopping bag
  • Pikitia NZ bamboo magnet

How entrants made submissions

Name suggestions had to be submitted with a photo through our website. The photo had to show the person entering the name doing something to reduce plastic pollution. 

The action also had to be sustainable. This meant it needed to be a repeatable action, that would not create any negative impact on the environment.

Entrants could provide more than one submission. Multiple submissions offer a better chance of winning.

How reducing plastic pollution helps albatross

This year's competition is about acting sustainably to reduce how much plastic ends up in our oceans. This also supports this year’s World Albatross Day theme of plastic pollution.

The plastic that ends up in our oceans threatens our seabirds. They can be hurt by it, become entangled or mistake it for food for themselves or their chicks.

Using less plastic in our daily lives reduces the amount that ends up in our oceans. So, no matter where you are in the world, you can help colonies like the Royal Albatross at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head by using less plastic day to day.

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