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Story summary
- The Avatar moth has been voted New Zealand’s bug of the year with 5,192 votes.
- The species is critically endangered and threatened by proposed mining on the Denniston Plateau.
- Forest & Bird's chief executive Nicola Toki urged against planned extinctions and likened the moth to the kakapo.
- Bathurst Resources says it will minimize ecological impact.
- Resources Minister Shane Jones supports mining for economic growth despite environmental concerns.
