G Lane & Scotty J Stevenson defend the Black Billed Gull's "dirty" campagin tactics

Allegations of voter rigging and trolling of candidates: It may sound like the US elections but no, it's the humble Bird of the Year competition in New Zealand.

G Lane & Scotty J Stevenson defended the trolling campaign saying "if we are talking about dirty tactics the advocates for the white-faced heron have been cheating, the campaign is dirty already".

Cast your vote at www.birdoftheyear.co.nz Voting closes on Monday.