Not exactly sponsorship but still a cute sound bite:
Organisations across Wellington are backing a campaign for the kiwi to win Bird of the Year in the competition's 20th year.
Zealandia wildlife sanctuary, Wētā Workshop, The Royal NZ Ballet, Wellington Phoenix, Te Papa, and Capital Kiwi are among 25 institutions and groups in the capital supporting the kiwi.
[…]
Wellington Phoenix marketing executive Georgia Jury-Putter, said the team's beloved Phoenix mascot Nixie would be promoting the kiwi in videos in the coming weeks.
"Unfortunately Nixie isn't up for grabs for Bird of the Year, but the kiwi is the next best thing."
The football team was keen to drum up some pride in the city which had been the subject of grim headlines of late, she said.
"Hopefully we'll get a bit of national support as well, maybe not from our Auckland counterparts - but hopefully they'll get behind it as well and get behind the kiwi as well."
