Bird Flu HPAI
Situation update: 20 October 2026
New Zealand has 3 confirmed detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu).
New Zealand’s third case of H5 bird flu was confirmed on 21 August in 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. There has been no detection in poultry.
Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat and bird flu is a very low risk to human health.
New Zealand is well prepared to respond to H5 bird flu and is working to protect poultry production and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities. Response and surveillance work has intensified in close coordination with industry partners and other agencies.
The Department of Conservation is implementing a 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.
What is the Bird Flu (HPAI)?
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects birds. However, it can also spread to mammals – including people.
There are 2 main types of avian influenza:
- high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which can cause severe signs and high death rates in birds. There are a number of strains including H5, H7, and H9.
- low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI), which typically causes few or no signs in birds but can possibly mutate to HPAI.
LPAI is present in wild birds in New Zealand. We have an active surveillance programme for LPAI and test around 2,000 samples from wild birds each year. LPAI causes few or no signs of illness in wild birds. However, when a low pathogenicity strain of avian influenza is introduced to chickens, it can mutate into a high pathogenicity strain.
Strains of HPAI have circulated globally for years. Many countries have seasonal outbreaks in poultry every year.
New Zealand has been monitoring the spread of HPAI globally for the past 20 years. Biosecurity New Zealand and our partners have surveillance programmes in place to detect the arrival of HPAI and other exotic diseases.
How is Council responding?
Council is closely following the advice and guidance from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and has designed a plan on how to respond if any cases emerge in our District. We are continually assessing the risk and preparing where possible.
What should I do if I see a sick or dead bird?
If you see a group of sick or dead wild birds (three or more) please report to MPI and follow the official guidance below:
REPORT BY PHONE: Call exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66
REPORT ONLINE: 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
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
