H5 Bird Flu
What is Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)?
Avian influenza is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds. Some strains of the virus can infect humans and other animals, though this is rare. The virus is not commonly spread through cooked poultry products.
How is it transmitted?
Bird to bird – through contact with infected droppings, saliva or feathers.
Bird to human – rare, but possible through close contact with infected birds (alive or dead), or contaminated environments, particularly during handling.
Human to human – very rare and usually limited in spread.
New Zealand is well prepared to respond quickly to H5 bird flu.
Response and surveillance work continues to step up in close coordination with industry partners and others agencies.
In addition to New Zealand’s continuous bird flu surveillance and testing programme, additional work will include:
extra checking of birds and marine mammals at selected sites in coastal areas in Wellington and the Wairarapa over coming days
alongside industry, MPI will continue to offer one-on-one support and advice to poultry and egg operations in Wellington and the Wairarapa
establishing a technical advisory group of expert scientists to supplement advice from MPI’s internationally recognised experts.
The Department of Conservation will continue its vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds from 5 of our most endangered birds – kākāpō, takahē, tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt, and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet.
Be alert and use good habits to limit the impact of bird flu
Keep your distance. Stay away from sick or dead wildlife. Keep pets away too.
Keep clean. Wash your hands and clean your gear after being outdoors.
Know when to report. If you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz
If you report online, select the ‘dead or dying wild birds’ option from the dropdown list and then the type of bird you have found. Don’t handle or move the birds.
Please note: Information on this page has been sourced from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is leading the country’s response to the outbreak. However, in instances where bird flu has been found on Waitomo District Council land, we will respond accordingly. This could mean the temporary closure of key reserves or facilities.
New Zealand and our Council are well prepared to respond swiftly to bird flu. However, people can help to minimise the spread and impact of bird flu locally by being observant and practicing preventative measures such as:
Staying away from wildlife
Avoiding touching birds, feathers or bird poo
Washing hands and footwear
Update as at October 2026
Since July 2026, there have been three confirmed cases of H5 bird flu in New Zealand.
These have been a Subantarctic skua found on Petone Beach in Wellington, a Kāhu, swamp harrier hawk, found near Carterton, and a northern giant petrel, found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach in the Wairarapa.
There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or spread between wild birds in New Zealand and no detection in poultry.
Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat and bird flu is a very low risk to human health.
Ministry of Primary Industries is the lead agency and will coordinate any response in partnership with Biosecurity New Zealand, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Ministry of Health – it will be a coordinated central government approach alongside local authorities.