BSNZ Sept Report 2026

BSNZ National Show 2026

It is always a great honour to be asked to Judge at a Patronage or National show. In 2026 I had the privilege of being the Senior judge for the Budgerigar Section at the National show in Levin. This was my 6 National show and 4^th as the Senior Judge.

The hall used was a large sports stadium. There was ample room to have the sections spread out and the judges stand was in an ideal position with good lighting.

After the initial welcome and instructions from the show manager judging started. I was fortunate enough to have two very good stewards. This made life easier especially with the large number of awards on the schedule.

While numbers appeared to be down there were enough birds to give a good variety and make it an enjoyable day’s judging.  With the ups and downs in the weather lately there were quite a few birds not in as good a show condition as they might have been. This did have an oncome on their positions in the top ten.

As a judge it is always good to identify some potential winners early in the judging and it was pleasing to get a line of good birds sitting on the top shelf of the stand very early on.

Once the classes were judged and the CYCR awards handed out I could then look at the top 10 overall. There were about 14 or 15 AA birds in the running. Additionally, there was the possibility of the novice and CYCR birds fitting into the final line up.

Results

Best in Show, Best Champion and Best AA Bird

Was one I picked as the potential winner very early on. It was a Grey Green Cock, and he was the bird in best feather and show condition of all the birds in contention. He had a wonderful temperament, and he sat on the perch the whole time of judging looking relaxed. At the same time, he was showing himself off. It was very pleasing and emotive to find out later this was a bird that Murray Podjursky had bred and it was his wish that his wife Liz would exhibit his birds this year.

2^nd Best Bird

Was a nice Opaline Green AA Cock which was the first of 8 of the top 10 shown by Tony and Robyn Grinter. He was a very nice bird and presented himself well but just a little bit loose in the feather.

3^rd Best Bird

Was the bird which placed 2^nd in the Grey Green class to the winner. Once brought back to the final judging he showed himself very well and moved up the placings.

4^th Best Bird

Was an AA Light Green Cock from the B & S Berge partnership. He was a good solid bird but a bit of an enigma in judging as while he did not misbehave, he had a tendency to pull himself in especially round the head. However, when he did relax, he had a beautiful blow. He ended up going up and down the line based on this.

5^th Best Bird & 1^st Opp Sex

Was another Grinter bird a nice AA Grey Pied Hen. She had a few pins on her head, and one actually broke after judging. In condition she would have been further up the line up.

6^th Best Bird

Was an Opaline Grey Green AA Cock from the Grinter’s. A very relaxed bird on the perch. He probably tucked his head into his chest a bit too much which spoiled his line a little bit.

7^th Best Bird and Best CYCR

Was a Grey Cock from Grinter’s. He was a nice bird but could easily have missed out on the CYCR award. For a while he did not want to show himself but started behaving at the right time and remained steady during judging. He did call enough, after the awards were finalised and lay in the corner of the cage for a while before getting back on the perch and showing himself as the worthy CYCR winner.

8^th Best Bird

Was another Grinter CYCR bird an Opaline Grey Green Cock which showed himself very well but did not quite have the blow and head qualities of the Grey Cock.

9^th Best Bird

Was an AA Dominant Pied Grey Green and a good steady bird. Another bird exhibited by the Grinter’s.

10^th Best Bird

Was an Opaline Sky AA cock from the Grinter’s.  I really liked this bird and unfortunately, he was a bit loose in feathers which saw him only place 10^th. In better show condition he would have been up the pointy end of the field.

Presentations

The presentation award night was done a bit different by the show organisers. All the judges were called up and given a presentation from Topflight as an acknowledgment for judging. Then when the major prizes awarded in each section, the judge was also called up so was included in the presentation photo and also given a parcel of goodies.

It was also nice that Liz Podjursky was given time prior to picking up the best Budgerigar award to give a little talk which included telling of Murray’s wish of his birds being shown a further season in their partnership. To win the top award was something special and rekindled fond memories of Murray for lots at the show.

RIP Murray and well done.