16/07/2026
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has just confirmed that a single case of H5 bird flu has been confirmed in a brown skua seabird found at Petone Beach in Wellington.
MPI Animal Health Laboratory testing has confirmed the bird has the H5 bird flu strain (H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b) that has been circulating globally. This is the first detection of this significant avian influenza strain in New Zealand.
The bird is an individual ocean-going seabird and there is no evidence of mass wildlife deaths or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand. There has been no detection in poultry.
The brown skua was found by a member of the public on 10 July and MPI was notified. The bird was taken to Wellington Zoo for assessment, and it is still being held in secure isolation.
There is no evidence that the virus has spread beyond this individual seabird, but we are asking the community to be alert and report any sick or dead birds and animals.
Australia has recently experienced finds of single birds with H5 bird flu in coastal areas and we may see a similar pattern here.
Our response is designed to manage the risks of H5 bird flu, to protect poultry production, and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.
H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct and close contact with significant numbers of sick birds. Eggs and poultry meat remain safe to eat.
MPI, DOC, the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand have been working together with the poultry and egg industry and local councils preparing for this scenario for several years, monitoring the global movement of H5 and readying for its possible arrival here.
While there are no detections in commercial poultry and egg production, producers are being reminded that on-farm biosecurity practices are vital to product their flocks.
Our advice to the public is:
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 three or more sick or dead birds or wildlife, report them to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Provide as much information as possible, including:
• a GPS reading or other precise location information
• photographs and videos of sick and dead birds
• how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present
• Common name of affected bird/s.
Commercial poultry operators are advised to contact their vet.
Media release confirming H5 bird flu: H5 bird flu confirmed in New Zealand | Beehive.govt.nz
Information is at: mpi.govt.nz/hpai
Any enquiries about the situation can be sent to: [email protected]
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