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New Zealand is well prepared to respond if bird flu reaches our shores, but everyone must take steps now to be ready, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
His comments come as Australia today confirmed its first mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote part of the country's southwest.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said testing has confirmed the bird, found on a beach about 700km southeast of Perth in Western Australia, had the virus strain.
The migratory bird, known as a brown skua was found in the state's Cape Le Grand National Park. Initial tests on a sick giant petrel found in the same area suggested it was also infected.
The virulent strain of H5 has spread through wild bird and mammal populations since 2021, killing millions, infecting poultry and dairy farms and even some farmworkers, Reuters reports.
In a statement this afternoon, Mr Hoggard said since the H5N1 strain started spreading globally, New Zealand’s geographical isolation had protected and given the country time to prepare.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand have been working together with industry and local councils to get ready."
He said authorities across the Tasman said there was no evidence of mass bird deaths so far, or of infection of any poultry.
“We are watching the situation closely and remain in close contact with Australian authorities. It is a timely reminder that it takes all of us to be prepared for the arrival of a virus we can’t control the spread of," he said.
“While we can’t prevent wild birds bringing this virus here, we can work together to limit its impact. If H5N1 bird flu arrives, it is likely to spread in our wild bird population and will not be able to be eradicated, so it’s important for farmers and backyard bird owners to have good biosecurity practices in place.”
He urged farmers to look for signs of illness in their birds and to contact a vet if concerned.
"Prevent contact between your birds and wild birds, and clean your boots, gear, surfaces and hands often.
“People who spend time outdoors - tramping, duck hunting, bird watching - can form good habits now that will help protect wildlife if bird flu arrives here. Keep your distance from sick or dead wildlife, keep your gear clean, and know when to report.”
If three or more sick of dead wild birds were seen in a group, this should be reported to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
"Do not handle or move them."
There was no food safety risk from H5N1, and the risk to human health has been assessed as low.
Last continent
Australia was the only continent without a confirmed mainland case of the deadly strain. H5 was confirmed on Heard Island, a sub-Antarctic Australian territory in late 2025.
The country had been preparing for the arrival of the H5N1 bird flu by tightening biosecurity at farms, testing shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species and war-gaming response plans.
Wayne Boardman, a wildlife veterinarian and associate professor at Adelaide University, said the virus could devastate Australia's native wildlife.
"This strain of bird flu has caused huge die-offs of birds and sea mammals.
"My concerns are that if the H5N1 avian flu virus is confirmed, it will pose a huge risk to some of our more endangered shorebirds, some of our coastal raptors, and our precious, unique, endemic and endangered Australian sea lions, whose population is precarious."
• More information about H5N1 bird flu and the work New Zealand is doing to prepare is available at mpi.govt.nz/HPAI.
- Allied Media and Reuters