DOC to vaccinate endangered native birds against bird flu threat

Thursday, 2 July 2026

The Department of Conservation will begin vaccinating some of New Zealand’s most endangered native birds against the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus as a precaution against its possible arrival.

The vaccination programme follows the recent detection of the virus in migratory seabirds in Australia, although the H5N1 strain has not been found in New Zealand.

DOC said about 300 breeding birds from five critically threatened species would receive the vaccine. They include kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat’/tūturuatu (shore plover), kakī (black stilt) and kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet).

The birds are either held in captivity or, in the case of kākāpō and takahē, live on predator-free offshore islands.

DOC senior science adviser and wildlife veterinarian Dr Kate McInnes said New Zealand was in a unique position to vaccinate some of its rarest birds before the virus arrived.

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“We’ve seen the devastating impacts of this virus on wildlife in other parts of the world, and we want to reduce the risk to our precious native birds where we can.”

The vaccination programme follows a DOC research trial completed last year, which the department said was the first in the world to demonstrate the vaccine was safe and effective in five native bird species.

The vaccine contains an inactivated virus and cannot cause bird flu.

The work will begin this month, ahead of the breeding season, allowing birds time to develop immunity before spring.

DOC said it would not be possible to vaccinate every threatened bird species if H5N1 reached New Zealand, so the programme would focus on species with very small populations that rely on intensive conservation management.

The department is also urging the public to help with early detection by reporting groups of three or more sick or dead birds, marine mammals or other wildlife to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ exotic pest and disease hotline.

People are advised not to touch or handle sick or dead wildlife.