‘All it takes is one wild bird’: Lethal bird flu strain keeping free-range farmers on tenterhooks

Saturday, 4 July 2026

MPI isn’t yet considering using its powers to impose any mandatory housing orders for poultry, if bird flu reaches NZ. (file photo)

The arrival of a lethal bird flu strain could mean big changes for Kiwi free-range farmers – and some even fear it could spell the end for their farms.

An extremely contagious strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, known as H5N1 reached Australia last month. RNZ reported a giant petrel found dead on Farewell Spit is also being tested, although officials say it likely died after being battered by storms.

DOC is taking steps to mitigate any impact on wildlife, including vaccinating some of our most endangered birds, but say there is little that can be done to stop it from reaching NZ.

In other countries, including the UK, it has also had a serious impact on the commercial poultry sector. Last year, an England-wide housing order was introduced, meaning poultry had to be kept inside.

Natalie Field and Will Crozier run Benzie Free Range Eggs, and fear what an outbreak would mean for their flock.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) isn’t yet considering doing the same, but industry bodies are making plans to support free range farmers if outbreaks start.

Natalie Field, who owns Benzie Free Range Eggs in West Eyreton, feared an outbreak would spell the end for her farm.

“We cannot feasibly prevent a wild bird from pooping in our farm,” she said. “We’re free range… [we] pride ourselves on having great big grass areas for the birds to forage in.”

So far, it had largely been business as usual, and Field said she was trying not to stress too much about something out of her control.

“Obviously, your basic protocols, like no foreign vehicles in the farm and clean boots only and all of that, but at the end of the day, all it takes is one wild bird to fly over.”

She had spoken to colleagues overseas who told her the disease tended to come “in waves”, hitting some farms again after they had repopulated.

But eggs were her family’s whole livelihood, and with a young daughter, she’d be tempted to find something more stable.

Industry bodies say free range farmers in areas with outbreaks would need to consider whether to bring their birds inside temporarily for their own good. (file photo)

Keeping her flock indoors to protect them would mean cutting back on numbers to the point it would no longer be economical, she said.

“This is how we live, that’s how I pay my mortgage… it's going to be incredibly devastating if we lose the whole lot, because I'll just have to either start from scratch, or find something new to do.”

Fiona MacMillan, executive director of both the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) and the Egg Producers Federation (EPF), said free range farms in areas with outbreaks would need to consider whether to bring their birds inside “for their own welfare”.

“The intention is for free range flocks to only be inside on a temporary basis and only when needed.”

PIANZ has plans to create stickers for eggs and poultry products to indicate whether chickens have been temporarily housed for their own welfare. (file photo)

PIANZ had a plan “ready to go” to let the public know if chickens had been temporarily housed, which included stickers to be placed on all egg and meat chicken packaging.

But MacMillan acknowledged it would be harder for some farmers than others. In the egg world specifically, housing systems varied widely.

While some had suitable barns, others used small sheds or mobile range systems only designed to house birds at night.

This wouldn’t be New Zealand’s first time responding to bird flu. But unlike 2024, when an outbreak of the H7N6 strain was successfully eradicated, H5N1 would be different.

“We know it has the potential to cause significant disruption, as it has in other countries, which is why producers and farmers are doing everything they can now to ensure everyone is as prepared as they can be, to minimise any future outbreak and potential spread.”

Preparation had been ongoing for some time, and the industry had kept up to date on the latest science from around the world. PIANZ had also developed biosecurity guidance for commercial producers on its website.

For now, MacMillan said farmers should stay “watchful”.

“Now the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu is in Australia we need to be vigilant for any signs of illness in our birds.”

MPI’s chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel said it was not their intention to use its Biosecurity Act powers to make any mandatory housing orders.

But it was important for farmers and backyard bird owners to get good biosecurity practices in place now.

“While we can’t prevent wild birds bringing this virus here, we can work together to limit its impact.”

Aotearoa’s geographical isolation had so far protected us, she said, and given us time to prepare.

“MPI has been working closely with the poultry industry to strengthen on-farm biosecurity and resilience, with the aim of ensuring the industry is prepared for H5 bird flu’s possible arrival.”

Experts and industry representatives had travelled to the UK to see how they had managed the disease, she said. Its On Farm Support team were also helping commercial producers develop response plans.

Bird flu is not considered a food safety concern as long as food is cooked thoroughly.