Minister urges public to report cases of three or more sick or dead birds in a group after brown skua seabird tests positive for H5N1 on Wellington beach

Eva Corlett in WellingtonWed 15 Jul 2026 22.23 EDTShare

Fears for New Zealand’s native species as first bird flu case emerges | New Zealand | The Guardian

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The deadly H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in New Zealand for the first time, sparking alarm that some of the country’s most beloved and vulnerable native birds could be wiped out if it spreads.

A single ocean-going seabird, a brown skua, returned a confirmed positive test on Wednesday, after it was found on Petone beach in Wellington on 10 July, said Andrew Hoggard, the biosecurity minister.

In New Zealand, where birds hold a significant place in the culture and ecosystem, the virus has the potential to be catastrophic. However, New Zealand has been preparing for the possible arrival of bird flu for years and a vaccination programme is under way for five species of endangered birds in captive breeding programmes, including the charismatic kākāpō and takahē. The ministry for primary industries said it has a well-established surveillance programme that spans wildlife sanctuaries, zoos, the poultry industry, vets and the public.

“Bird flu is an unwelcome threat to our bird species who are already under more extreme and multiple pressures than ever before,” said James Russell, professor of conservation biology at the University of Auckland.

“Ultimately, there will be little we can do to stop this virus impacting our wild bird populations, but through taking meaningful actions which reduce other pressures, we can set up our bird populations as strongly as possible to recover after the virus has swept through.”

Hoggard said: “There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand.” However he urged the public to be vigilant.

“We are continuing to act early and prepare carefully, while asking the community to remain watchful and report three or more sick or dead birds in a group to the pest and disease hotline.”

The deadly bird flu strain started in Asia, and has been spreading across Europe and the Americas since 2021, arriving in Antarctica during the 2023-24 summer. Australia recorded its first confirmed cases on the mainland in early July.

The virus has killed millions of birds worldwide and in some areas, reduced bird populations by 75%. Signs of disease include weakness and seizures, head twisting, and breathing distress.

New Zealand’s only endemic mammal species are bats and marine mammals. Consequently, its birds evolved in unusual and idiosyncratic ways. The country is home to more species of flightless birds, both living and extinct, than any other place in the world and has the most diverse population of seabirds globally.

About 80% of native birds are already considered endangered, with more than a dozen on the verge of extinction.

Jemma Geoghegan, a virologist at the University of Otago, said New Zealand had an advantage because it was “not facing this blindly”.

“We can draw on several years of international experience, including the recent Australian response, to guide surveillance, wildlife monitoring and outbreak management.”

However, the virus presented a “big unknown” because not all species are equally susceptible, said Nigel French, distinguished professor of infectious disease epidemiology and public health at Massey University.

Species that tend to gather in large colonies, particularly shorebirds and other scavenging species, are likely most at risk, French said. Many of these are types of birds that are already endangered, including the fairy tern – population 50.

Marine mammals, such as New Zealand’s nationally endangered sea lions, were also at risk of catching the virus.

“It could be really devastating for some of our taonga [treasured] species of birds and some of the rarer native species.”

Because New Zealand’s bird populations have such huge cultural significance and are particularly vulnerable, it was important the country pulled out all the stops with vaccination and containment, French said.

“It is a deep cultural concern for New Zealand as a whole.”

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said an infected brown skua was found by a member of the public on Petone Beach in Wellington on July 10.

The single ocean-going seabird returned a positive test for the virus three days later after it was taken to Wellington Zoo.

Hoggard said H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct, close, and prolonged contact with large numbers of sick birds.

“I don’t want to get anyone alarmed that this is suddenly a human health issue – it is not a human health issue,” Hoggard told reporters this evening.

“Whilst the disease has spread occasionally to humans overseas, there has been no human-to-human transmission and risk are as long as you do not touch them and have lots of contact with birds, the risk is very low.”

He continued: “I feel like we are very well-prepared for this disease arriving here.

“We are effectively one of the last places in the world to get it so we’ve been able to see how it’s impacted other countries in the world, we’ve gone there… take lessons away from that.

“We’re as prepared as we possibly can be.”

A case of H5 bird flu has been confirmed in New Zealand – Watch on TVNZ+

Eggs and poultry remained safe to eat, he said.

Hoggard said the World Organisation for Animal Health had been notified about the discovery in New Zealand. The intergovernmental organisation transparently disseminates information about animal diseases around the globe.

The case is H5 bird flu strain, H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b, which has been circulating globally and is the first detection in New Zealand.

Hoggard said it was a “coastal detection in an individual ocean-going seabird and there is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand”.

“There has been no detection in poultry.”

The situation was being closely monitored, the minister said.

Poultry farmers step up H5 bird flu precautions  

Biosecurity Minister will meet with Australian counterpart this week to discuss the outbreak there. 

Poultry farmers step up H5 bird flu precautions  2:29

Biosecurity Minister will meet with Australian counterpart this week to discuss the outbreak there.  (Source: 1News)

“At this stage there is no evidence of any illness beyond this seabird. We’ve had people out on Petone Beach checking and found no other issues. We will continue to monitor the beach and surrounding areas.”

Warning issued

Hoggard asked the community to remain alert and follow advice about reporting sick or dead birds.

“It is vital that people do not touch or handle unwell birds.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries will continue its wider surveillance and work closely with industry, veterinarians, and wildlife carers.”

Hoggard said preparations had already been made to respond to the virus’ arrival.

“Our response is designed to manage the risks of H5 bird flu, to protect poultry production, and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.”

MPI was testing birds every few days through reports and targeted wildlife surveillance.

“Australia has recently experienced finds of single birds with H5 bird flu in coastal areas with no reports of mass mortalities. We may see a similar pattern here and we will remain vigilant.”

Australia has 14 cases after a “presumed positive” was detected in a petrel in Western Australia, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

“We are continuing to act early and prepare carefully,” Hoggard added, while asking the community to remain watchful and report three or more sick or dead birds in a group to the MPI pest and disease hotline.

Egg producers say poultry and egg products remain safe to eat

The Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand said in a statement the public could be assured it is safe to eat properly cooked poultry, eggs, and egg products.

“The poultry and egg industries have been preparing for a bird flu outbreak for some time. We would like to reassure the public that all the necessary steps are in place to manage this outbreak and protect our birds, people and the food supply.

“Our egg and poultry farmers are working hard to look after the welfare of our animals and protect our national food supply of eggs and chicken.”

The federation said it was “actively supporting all efforts to limit the spread of the virus”.

“Please follow MPI guidance on the safe handling and cooking of chicken and eggs, as you usually would.”

Yesterday, 1News reported the Department of Conservation had started a vaccination programme aimed at protecting five of New Zealand’s most endangered birds.

DOC rolls out bird flu vaccinations to five of NZ’s most threatened species 

As a highly infectious strain of H5N1 bird flu spreads around the world, natives such as the kākapō and takahē are being protected. 

DOC rolls out bird flu vaccinations to five of NZ’s most threatened species 2:10

As a highly infectious strain of H5N1 bird flu spreads around the world, natives such as the kākapō and takahē are being protected.  (Source: 1News)

What to do

According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, people who spot three or more sick or dead birds should report the sighting to the exotic and pest disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

The following details would be helpful when making a report:

– Common name or species of sick or dead bird if known

– How many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present

– A GPS reading or other precise location information

Case of H5 bird flu confirmed in New Zealand