Parts of conservation land may be shut to public if deadly bird flu strain reaches NZ

Friday, 3 July 2026

Temporary closures of conservation land are among the drastic measures being considered if a deadly strain of bird flu reaches our shores, as DOC rolls out vaccines for some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable birds.

The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – commonly called bird flu – has been sweeping the globe, and was recently detected in Australia for the first time. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said this week its arrival was a matter of “when”, rather than “if”.

The highly contagious viral infection can affect all bird species, both wild and domestic. It can also be transmitted to mammals, including humans, although the risk to human health is considered low, with only about 1000 cases since the strain was first discovered in 2003, and transmission between people has never been recorded.

Its risk to wildlife is considerably more severe, with UK researchers describing it as “one of the biggest conservation threats” facing the country’s seabirds.

Here, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand have been working with the poultry industry and local councils to prepare.

DOC biosecurity manager Ash Murphy told The Press we can’t prevent infected migratory birds from arriving and bringing the virus to New Zealand.

“If it arrives, we won’t be able to control the spread in wild birds.”

They do not yet know exactly what impact the virus would have on native species. But it would be more likely to affect colony-nesting birds like red and black-billed gulls, gannets, terns, and other seabirds, “due to the close contact transmission of the virus through secretions and faeces”.

In other countries, waterfowl, such as ducks, geese and swans, and raptors, like harrier hawks, have also been considered at high risk.

“If H5N1 arrives in New Zealand and spreads in the wild bird population, we won’t be able to eradicate it … and management options will be limited.”

Murphy said DOC had plans in place to mitigate the risk to threatened species and public conservation land.

This week, the department announced it would be vaccinating core breeding populations of some of Aotearoa’s most critically endangered species, after a trial last year.

About 300 breeding birds from five species – kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat’/tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet – will be vaccinated, starting this month. They are mostly birds in captive breeding programmes, or those living on offshore islands.

DOC senior science adviser Kate McInnes said the species were chosen because of their small populations.

“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.

“It won’t be possible to vaccinate all endangered birds if bird flu arrives, but we can focus on those species where the full two doses of the vaccine can be safely given to achieve protection.”

The vaccine contains dead virus and cannot cause bird flu infection.

Murphy said access to some public conservation land and waters may also be restricted or temporarily closed during bird flu outbreaks to reduce stress on wildlife and minimise disturbance to affected birds.

It would also protect public safety and help avoid spreading the virus through infected droppings or secretions, which could be moved about by people travelling through the area.

Decisions to close conservation areas would be based on factors like the nature and site of the outbreak, species infected, and time of year, he said.

“Closures are likely to be limited to sites such as bird breeding and marine mammal colonies and areas where mass die-offs are occurring.”

On top of current biosecurity and hygiene practices around wildlife, extra protective measures would also be introduced in captive breeding facilities, “to help safeguard important breeding populations”.

Dunedin Wildlife Hospital general manager Suzanne Stephenson said they were also taking extra precautions, which could further change as the Government’s response evolved.

People calling in about sick wildlife would be asked more questions than usual, including exact GPS co-ordinates if possible, whether there were other sick or dead animals nearby, what symptoms were apparent, and whether anyone had handled it.

Symptoms in birds can include difficulty standing or walking; tremors or seizures; head or neck twisting; gasping for air; and swollen eyes or heads.

Stephenson said they would need to be “very cautious about what’s accepted in the hospital”, to protect vulnerable wildlife already in their care.

“It’s important that we keep obviously our patients as protected as possible, as well as our own veterinary staff.”

Stephenson said the public were the country’s “best eyes and ears” for noticing H5N1’s arrival.

“Like any day, it's people who are on their walks who will often see a sick or injured animal,” she said.

“It’s just the same thing about … reporting that as soon as they can, making sure that they’re really clear on the location. And I think in this instance when we are on high alert, it’s being super cautious about approaching it or touching it.”

DOC is urging people who spend time outdoors to keep their distance and not touch or collect sick or dead wildlife, and to keep gear clean.

The public is asked to report groups of three or more sick or dead birds, marine mammals or other wildlife to the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline by calling 0800 80 99 66.