Birdflu Information

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral disease that affects birds. It can also affect some mammals, including marine mammals, companion animals and livestock.

Bird flu can affect all bird species, but those most at risk include:

• Waterbirds such as ducks, swans and geese
• Shorebirds such as plovers, dotterels and oystercatchers
• Seabirds such as gulls, terns, gannets and penguins
• Birds of prey and scavengers
• Poultry

Biosecurity New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) lead New Zealand's response and monitoring activities.

The One Health approach recognises the connection between human, animal and environmental health. National agencies lead the response, while councils support communication, coordination and management of affected public spaces.

Human infection is very rare and generally only occurs after close contact with infected animals. The risk to the public is considered low.

Yes. Properly cooked chicken and eggs are safe to eat because the virus is destroyed by normal cooking temperatures.

Yes. Backyard poultry owners should follow MPI guidance to reduce contact between poultry and wild birds.

The risk to pets is very low. To help protect them:

• Keep them away from sick or dead birds and droppings
• Discourage contact with wild birds and poultry
• Contact your veterinarian if you notice signs of illness

A key sign is finding several sick or dead birds in the same area. Other signs may include:

• Unusual lethargy or weakness
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Inability to fly

Look for:

• Tiredness or reluctance to move
• Reduced eating or drinking
• Respiratory symptoms such as coughing or panting
• Swelling around the head or neck
• Reduced egg production
• Sudden illness affecting multiple birds

If you notice these signs, contact your veterinarian.

Do not touch the bird. Keep children and pets away.

If you find three or more dead birds in one location, call MPI's Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

If possible, note:

• The location
• The type of bird
• When it was found

MPI will advise on any further action required.

You can safely dispose of the birds at home by following the recommended guidelines. Full disposal instructions will be available on our website.

These terms all refer to the same disease:

• Bird flu is the common name
• Avian influenza is the scientific name
• HPAI stands for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
• H5N1 is the specific strain currently spreading globally

If three or more sick or dead birds are found on Council land and reported to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Council will be notified.

If the birds are on your property, follow the disposal guidance below. If they are on Council land or someone else's property, contact Council so we can arrange appropriate action or notify the landowner.

Please let us know by calling 0800 111 323, emailing contact@stdc.govt.nz, or submitting an online service request. Council will arrange appropriate disposal and monitoring if required.

Find out about the risk of H5 bird flu, how to protect yourself, your whānau, and your hapū.

Protecting our taonga species, whānau, and te taiao

H5 bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects birds. However, it can also spread to mammals, including people.

It was first detected in New Zealand in July 2026.

H5 bird flu has the potential to affect:

• taonga species – such as endangered native birds
• marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions
• mahinga kai and environmental health
• backyard poultry
• cultural practices using feathers, bones, or other animal materials
• the wellbeing of communities.

Communities are encouraged to identify important species and sites within their rohe and to discuss tikanga to help support an H5 bird flu response.

Bird handling and disposal guidance for Māori communities

As an iwi, hapū, marae, or landowner, you may be the first to see sick or dead birds on your whenua, or in your rohe.

If you see 3 or more sick or dead birds, do not handle or move them – call the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966.

It is recommended you:

• keep people and animals away from sick or dead wildlife
• assess risks to water sources, mahinga kai, wildlife, and wāhi tapu
• follow official guidance when making decisions collectively.

Guidance for dealing with sick or dead birds during an H5 bird flu outbreak [PDF, 808 KB]

Assessing what cultural practices may be appropriate

You may incorporate tikanga or other cultural practices if you think it is appropriate and can be done safely.

Practices may differ depending on where the H5 bird flu outbreak has occurred and what tikanga, kawa, or other cultural practices are appropriate for your area.

There are many practical disposal options, including burial, council waste services, and landfill disposal.

Rāhui, environmental monitoring, and iwi-to-iwi coordination can help reduce risks and protect both people and our taiao.

Cultural practitioners and toi Māori

Many cultural practices involve close interaction with birds, feathers, bones, marine mammals, and the environments where these species live.

H5 bird flu creates additional health, biosecurity, and environmental considerations for these activities.

We acknowledge that these practices are culturally significant and, in many cases, cannot simply stop.

Instead, there are practical ways to reduce risk. This includes:

• assessing risk during harvesting activities
• protecting harvesters working in remote locations
• safe handling, storage, and treatment of feathers and bones
• reducing contamination risks associated with boats, vehicles, tools, and equipment
• responding to marine mammal strandings and mortality events
• supporting the transfer of knowledge to future generations while adapting to new biosecurity challenges

It is important for Māori communities to explore how cultural practices can be adapted while continuing to uphold tikanga, kaitiakitanga, and cultural responsibilities.

Other useful guidance

He aratohu tikanga manu mate (Bird handling and disposal guidance) [PDF, 1.6 MB]

He pukapuka aratohu mō ngā hapori Māori (A guide for Māori communities) [PDF, 3.8 MB]

How to report suspected bird flu – fact sheet [PDF, 235 KB]

Staying safe and alert when outdoors

Information for game bird hunters – fact sheet [PDF, 384 KB]

Māori communities are encouraged to consider information contained in the fact sheets alongside their own tikanga and local circumstances.

More detailed guidance containing information from government agencies, scientific knowledge, and drawing on mātauranga Māori will be available soon.

Why we need to work together

H5 bird flu will require communities, iwi, hapū, marae, researchers, local government, and national agencies to work together.

Māori knowledge systems, local environmental knowledge, and scientific expertise all have an important role in protecting taonga species, supporting community wellbeing, and strengthening preparedness and response.

Reporting bird flu

If you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, avoid contact, record what you see, and report it to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz

For the latest guidance and updates, visit:

• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
• Biosecurity New Zealand
• Department of Conservation (DOC)
• Health New Zealand