The high-risk landing zone for bird flu to reach the South Island, where takahē won’t get vaccine
Monday, 27 July 2026
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is closely monitoring Onetahua Farewell Spit as a potential high-risk landing zone for the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu.
The internationally-recognised bird sanctuary at the northwest tip of the South Island is considered a likely hotspot for the virus.
The H5N1 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) – commonly called bird flu – was first detected in New Zealand a week ago, in a seabird found on a Wellington beach. There has been only one case since, in a harrier/kāhu in the Wairarapa. No cases have yet been found in the South Island but it is considered a matter of time.
Farewell Spit hosts more than 90 bird species and acts as a major haven, landing zone, and launch pad for migratory wading and sea birds.
Despite this, eight endangered takahē recently released into the area are set to miss out on initial bird flu vaccinations.
The eight endangered takahē were released into the local ecosystem in May, marking a significant milestone for the endemic birds, which were presumed extinct around 80 years ago. DOC confirmed these individuals would not be included in the first round of bird flu vaccinations.
DOC’s Golden Bay operations manager Ross Trotter said the department was currently focusing its limited vaccine supplies on critical insurance populations.
“We're currently focused on vaccinating core breeding birds from five of our most threatened species, including takahē,” he said.
“This includes about 100 core breeding takahē at sanctuaries and offshore island sites around the country.
“The Onetahua takahē are not in this first tranche as their genetics are well represented at other protected sites.”
DOC completed a research trial in 2025 showing the vaccine was safe and effective for five priority species: kākāpō, takahē, shore plover, black stilt, and orange-fronted parakeet.
However, Trotter said inoculating every wild bird was logistically impossible, as each bird had to be caught twice and given a booster about a month after the initial vaccine.
Trotter said priorities would be regularly reviewed as the H5 situation evolved, with the potential to expand vaccination to sites like Onetahua in the future.
In the meantime, local conservation groups, iwi Manawhenua Ki Mohua, and tour operators have been asked to keep a close watch for signs of infection while members of Birds NZ were also monitoring the area.
Trotter said DOC had been preparing for the arrival of bird flu for several years and had plans to mitigate risks to threatened species and public conservation land.
“There’s a site plan prepared for Onetahua to guide how we would manage the site if bird flu arrived, given it’s a popular visitor site, and there’s ongoing conservation work, a working farm at the base of the Spit, and tour operators using the area,” he said.
“This includes increasing biosecurity measures for staff, working with other groups that operate on Onetahua on biosecurity practices and reporting, and if necessary, restricting public access to specific sites.”
Trotter said another major concern was the area's large, tightly packed colonies - including a major gannet colony and high numbers of black swans - a species internationally proven to be highly vulnerable.
“As a hotspot for seabirds, there are several other species that could be badly impacted if bird flu were to take hold (on Farewell Spit),” he said.
“While we can’t prevent wild birds bringing this virus here, we can work together to limit its impact,” he said.
H5 symptoms in birds can include difficulty standing or walking; tremors or seizures; head or neck twisting; gasping for air; and swollen eyes or heads.
Members of the public who find three or more sick or dead wild birds, or wildlife such as seals, are urged not to touch them and to immediately contact the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 0800 80 99 66.