Federated Farmers is pushing for the Whio (Blue Duck) to take the Bird of the Year title this year.
"We can relate to the whio," Federated Farmers environment spokesman Chris Allen says.
"It's a tough little guy, and there aren't too many of them, like farmers.
"It's paddling away, head down, bum up, getting its work done the best it can.
"And the whio loves a good, clean river and a nice clear sky, just like farmers do."
