Name the chick competition

Name inspirations 

We worked with Te Poāri a Pukeura to produce the list of top 10 names for public vote. The vote inviting the public to choose their favourite name closed 16 June 2023 at 5 pm  (NZST).

Name options for voting and name meanings

The ten names selected to be voted on for the 2023 chick are in Te Reo Māori. Below you can see each of the names that were chosen for voting, their meaning and what inspired each entrant to submit them.

Manawarōa

This means resilience. This name was chosen as the Southern Ocean and its wildlife including royal albatross need resilience to endure modern changes to their environment.

Rerenga

Rerenga means voyage or flight. It can also mean the rising and setting of the sun.

This reflects the huge journeys our chick will undertake of up to 190,000 km per year. It also reflects the cyclical nature of migration across generations, from parents to children.

Ake

Ake means upwards. We want the chick to stay strong and grow up well. So this names relate to our hope that their health will keep advancing upward so they will not be endangered.

Tere

This means to glide, float, or drift. Albatrosses do this as part of their dynamic soaring technique. Some albatross species only move their wings for 15% of their flights and soar for the rest.

Manaia

Manaia was selected because it means a messenger between two worlds and guardianship. This relates to the role the chick plays as a messenger between the human and natural world.

Pairuri

Pairuri means concern, care, consideration. The entrant who submitted this hoped that the Royal Cam chick will represent this to others and remind them to act to protect the environment.

Manaaki

This means providing support, protection, and hospitality and showing admiration and kindness. The entrant who offered this name felt the chick needs our support, protection, and our hospitality to reduce environmental harm, starting with plastic pollution.

Ataahua

This name means graceful. This has been selected as the albatross is uniquely graceful in its flying and movement.

Whetu

This means star. This name was selected as it relates to the chick as a similarly meaningful guide in the sky.

Rere

This translates to fly, flow, flee, leap, descend or glide as well as many other energetic actions. The entrant of this name felt this reflects the chick and its life at sea.

The winners

Congratulations Megan Kopp, you are our winner of this competition. Keep an eye on your inbox. We will send you more details and get your prize sent out to you as soon as possible.

We have two spot prizes to giveaway and will email the winners that we've chosen.

Thanks to the Royal Albatross Centre for sponsoring some prizes.

Winner's prize pack

The submittor of the winning name and image wins 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.