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

• Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• 17 hrs ago
• New requirement for general season sheep hunters | | newsminer.com

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 Beginning in the 2026 hunting season, a new requirement from the Alaska Board of Game requires sheep hunters to successfully complete a sheep hunter orientation course and quiz prior to hunting in any general season harvest ticket hunt between August 10- September 20, where the bag limit is full-curl horn or larger. This requirement applies to all sheep hunters (guided and unguided, youth and adult, residents and nonresidents). Hunters only need to pass the quiz once in their lifetime, and receive their proof of completion. Proof of completion must be carried in the field while sheep hunting.

The new orientation requirement is intended to help hunters avoid common mistakes, specifically the challenges of judging full-curl sheep in the field. Hunters should familiarize themselves with the Dall Sheep Full-Curl Identification materials prior to taking the associated quiz. The quiz consists of 20 questions, and hunters must get all 20 questions correct to complete the orientation.

For questions about sheep hunting opportunities or completing the orientation, please contact the ADFG office closest to your planned hunt area.

Alice Lambert

Published: 07:19, 14 Jul 2026

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Americans brace for new hunting limits and a ban on sales under strict wildlife law

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AMERICANS could see hunting limits and a ban on fur sales introduced under new strict wildlife law.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider options surrounding these two issues this week.

The meetings are set to take place on July 16 and 17 and will include discussions about whether to lower the current daily hunting limits and if a ban on commercial fur sales should be introduced.

The commission previously proposed a daily limit of 15 for the hunting of all 17 furbearer species in March.

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They received backlash from wildlife advocates and some commissioners, who argued the imposed limit did not go far enough.

On July 16, a new option proposed by the wildlife agency for hunting limits will be discussed.

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In Colorado, questions around banning the commercial sale of fur came from a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity in June 2025.

It argued that furbearers should be managed in the same way as other wildlife in the state, and was approved in a controversial vote by the commission in March.

It will now be debated on July 17, with Parks and Wildlife proposing two new options for how to set out a possible fur sales ban.

Opinions towards the management of furbearer species in Colorado are largely split into two groups.

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The first, composed of sportspersons and agricultural advocates, believes the current style of management is an important part of the hunting heritage of the state and helps to provide the agency with much-needed data.

The second, represented by wildlife conservation and welfare advocates, thinks it is time that management of furbearers was updated, with current practices deemed unethical and causing the overexploitation of the 17 species.

In Colorado, hunting of all species of furbearers is allowed with the purchase of a $10 permit.

There are no limits on the number of animals that can be killed with a permit.

Parks and Wildlife director, Laura Clellan, wrote in a memo to the commission that “current annual harvest rates range from 0.6-0.58 per cent of the conservative population projections.”

She pointed out that there is no scientific evidence to prove current hunting levels are leading to any population declines in species, as current trapping methods naturally limit hunting.

Under Colorado law, it is illegal to sell or purchase any wildlife for commercial gain; however, an exemption does permit the sale of “nonedible portions of wildlife.”

This includes fur, feathers, teeth, horns, antlers, bones and more, if legally acquired.

During debates this week, the agency is set to put forward two options surrounding the imposition of a daily hunting limit.

One is a limit of 15 to all furbearer species hunted in Colorado.

The other would impose a limit of eight or four, depending on the species.

The limit of eight would apply to species that are known for causing property damage.

This includes badger, bobcat, beaver, coyote, muskrat, striped skunk, western spotted skunk, raccoon, and red fox.

The lower limit would apply to mink, opossum, marten, ring-tailed cat, gray fox, swift fox, long-tailed weasel, and short-tailed weasel.

According to Clellan’s memo, Parks and Wildlife is considering the limit owing to perceptions that there exists “a regulatory loophole allowing unlimited, unsustainable harvest and a regulatory gap between how furbearers are managed in comparison to small game.”

She wrote: “There is no information that suggests reducing harvest is necessary to sustain adequate furbearer populations throughout their respective ranges in Colorado.”

Instead, she noted that adding daily limits would instead “affect a small number of hunters or trappers, as the vast majority of Colorado fur harvesters take only a few animals, even across the whole harvest season.”

The agency will also put forward three options to the commission regarding the potential ban on the sale of fur.

The first is no ban.

In a denial recommendation written by Clellan, she said there was no “solid evidence that commercial fur sales drive harvest levels in Colorado.”

The second would ban the sale of “fur products,” including the pelt, hide, or any part of a furbearer.

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The third would ban the sale of “raw pelts,” meaning the skin or any part of the furbearer that comes into contact with the skin.

The law would only apply to the sale of fur in the state, meaning an animal hunted in Colorado could be legally sold in another state.