Overview
- A single brown skua found on Petone beach tested positive for H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, marking New Zealand’s first confirmed detection of the strain.
- Officials said the detection is currently isolated with no evidence of spread among wild birds, no mass wildlife deaths, and no cases in poultry.
- MPI’s chief veterinary officer warned the strain is likely to establish in wild birds within months, so authorities have increased targeted testing and community reporting measures.
- The Department of Conservation has begun vaccinating 300 core breeding birds across five highly endangered species to reduce extinction risk for small, vulnerable populations.
- Wildlife sanctuaries and the poultry industry have tightened hygiene and PPE protocols and reinforced on-farm biosecurity to protect people, flocks, and sanctuary collections while eggs and poultry remain safe to eat.