Preparing for HPAI H5N1
New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific remain free of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, the bird flu strain that has caused high numbers of deaths in wild birds, poultry and mammals overseas.
While we can’t stop wild birds with HPAI H5N1 from coming to New Zealand, early detection and strong biosecurity can help reduce the impact of this disease if it gets here.
Preparation is a group effort
We know from the experience overseas that a joint approach between agencies to prepare for this virus is essential. That's why the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) are working together with industry and local government to prepare.
We have developed a guide to how New Zealand will prepare and respond to HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b, and the intended long-term approach.
One Health approach for HPAI H5N1 [PDF, 6.9 MB]
Our planning aims to:
- reduce the impact on native species
- maintain supply of poultry meat and eggs to the domestic market and maintain access to overseas markets where possible
- reduce the impact on the commercial poultry industry
- protect human health.
Early detection will be crucial
Early detection will be crucial to managing the impact of H5N1 on biodiversity, food supplies, and trade.
New Zealand is closely monitoring the global spread of the disease, particularly near the Ross Sea region in Antarctica.
The measures we have in place to ensure early detection of HPAI H5N1 if it arrives in NZ
- The exotic pest and disease hotline for reporting suspected cases – 0800 80 99 66.
- Annual sampling and testing programme at non-migratory waterfowl sites with Fish & Game New Zealand.
- Monitoring and awareness with New Zealand's wildlife hospitals, poultry industry groups, bird owners, veterinarians, and wildlife rehabilitation centres.
- Working with DOC on any suspected exotic diseases in wild bird populations, including native birds.
- Working with the Ministry of Health on any suspect human cases of HPAI.
- Support and collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health and international partners in avian influenza working groups.
- Biosecurity border checks for travellers coming into New Zealand who have had contact with poultry or wild birds, and for risk items and cargo.
Sampling kits have been supplied to people working in remote parts of New Zealand and the Antarctic region for use where there are bird deaths that raise concerns.
Following the detection of HPAI H7N6 in Otago, we now also have contracts with wildlife hospitals to test wild birds for HPAI, as part of our enhanced surveillance for HPAI.
Strong biosecurity is essential
Although we can’t control the movement of wild birds, making sure we have rigorous on-farm biosecurity in place will help to protect individual farms from infection and to limit the impacts of the virus if HPAI H5N1 arrives here.
MPI is working closely with the poultry industry to ensure the industry, farmers and growers are ready.
This work includes supporting farmers and growers to have robust on-farm biosecurity plans in place, and developing a long-term approach to managing the virus should it arrive here.
Commercial poultry and avian influenza
In August 2025, the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand and the Egg Producers Federation signed an operational agreement with the government on how we’ll jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including HPAI H5N1.
Media release: Agreement signed on poultry biosecurity – Beehive
Learning from others
We’re talking regularly with international experts around the world to learn about how the disease is spreading and how other countries are managing it.
Representatives from MPI, the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, and the Egg Producers Federation visited the United Kingdom in August 2024 to learn from its experience with HPAI H5N1.
The UK has had more than 2 years’ experience responding to this strain and is similar to New Zealand in terms of geographic size and environment.
We heard from UK farmers that taking on-farm biosecurity seriously and implementing key measures can significantly reduce the risk of HPAI H5N1 spreading from wild birds to commercial facilities.
UK egg and poultry experts said that, at a minimum, New Zealand farmers need to reduce risk by:
- ensuring anything going into poultry sheds is protected from wild bird contamination
- protecting each shed individually rather than at the farm boundary level
- preventing water getting into sheds (potentially contaminated water from outside can bring avian influenza inside)
- ensuring staff are well-trained on the correct biosecurity requirements.
What to do if you find sick or dead birds
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 so we can investigate the cause.
Do not handle or move the birds.
Provide as much detail as you can, including:
- a GPS reading or other precise location information
- photographs and videos of sick and dead birds
- species name and estimate of the numbers affected
- how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present.
We will note the details and one of our specialist biosecurity investigators will assess the information and contact you.
Other information about avian influenza
Avian influenza – World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
Bird flu (avian influenza) latest situation in England – UK Government
Avian influenza and other wildlife diseases – Department of Conservation (DOC)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza – Health New Zealand
Bird flu and diseases – Poultry Industry Association New Zealand
A strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago – Biosecurity New Zealand
