This year, we're excited to bring back the Name the Chick competition for the 2026 season – an opportunity to deepen people's connection with this taonga species of Aotearoa at the royal albatross colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.
Entries are open to people in New Zealand and overseas.
Competition theme
This year's competition theme is habitat restoration.
Royal albatross rely on healthy habitats at sea and on land. But these habitats are under pressure from climate change, pollution, especially plastic waste and human activities.
This year's theme invites you to reflect on the places albatross call home and the role we all play in protecting them. Your chosen name could draw on ideas of renewal, resilience, guardianship, or the natural world.
By taking part, you're helping raise awareness of the importance of restoring and caring for these habitats so future generations of albatross can thrive.
Prize packages
We have several prize categories for your chance to win.
First prize:
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- A comprehensive 'Ornithology: Comprehensive Bird Biology' course donated by Cornell University - worth over $240 USD
- A sage tumbleweed adult albatross t-shirt
- An albatross tote bag
- Two albatross soft toys
- A toroa-green print
- A Louise Thompson-Parker print
- A Louise Thompson-Parker ceramic albatross mug
- And more
Second prize:
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- A 'The Hidden World of Nests and Eggs' course donated by Cornell University – worth over $60 USD
- A beige albatross t-shirt
- An albatross tote bag
- An image vault print
- And more
Spot prizes:
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- Black albatross t-shirt
- Albatross tote bag
- A bag of albatross jelly heart lollies and an albatross wooden magnet
- Albatross baseball cap x2
- Taiaroa Head print
The spot prizes will be randomly selected from all the name submissions that meet the submission requirements.
We will pay for any international shipping needed for prizes and all winners can request t-shirt sizing. You can view sample pictures of the prizes in the gallery above.
Thanks to the Royal Albatross Centre and Cornell University for supporting the competition with a selection of prizes.
How to enter
- Enter a name for the Royal Cam 2026 chick.
- Tell us why you chose it.
- Provide your name and email address.
- Submit the online form.
Entries close: 28 May 2026 at 5 pm (NZST) so get in quick.
After submissions close we will work with Te Poāri a Pukekura, the co-management trust at the headland, to select the winning name and prize winners.
Winners announced: 19 June 2026 (World Albatross Day).
Read the full terms and conditions