Wairarapa on alert after second Bird Flu detection confirmed

New Zealand’s bird flu response was stepped up after a second wild bird tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.

The Government confirmed on Friday that a single kāhu, or swamp harrier, found in the Wairarapa was the country’s second confirmed detection of bird flu.

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The discovery followed New Zealand’s first confirmed case earlier in the week, involving a brown skua seabird found at Petone Beach in Wellington.

Image: H5N1 Bird Flu has been confirmed in New Zealand for the first time after a seabird tested positive on Petone Beach in Wellington, with authorities urging people to report groups of three or more sick or dead wild birds to MPI. (Newsagent Newswire)

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the latest result was disappointing. No cases had been detected in poultry.

“While it’s disappointing to find a native bird with H5 bird flu, it’s not unexpected following the confirmation earlier this week of our first case in a single brown skua seabird found at Petone Beach,” Hoggard said.

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Increased checks on birds at selected Wairarapa sites will be done, while the Ministry for Primary Industries prepared to provide direct support and advice to poultry and egg producers across Wellington and the Wairarapa.

A technical advisory group of expert scientists was also being established to strengthen the Government’s response.

It is believed the hawk could have contracted the virus while hunting, eating or scavenging infected birds. Kāhu are known to travel to coastal areas, particularly during winter.

The Department of Conservation has continued vaccinating some of New Zealand’s most threatened native birds, including kākāpō, takahē, shore plover, black stilt and orange-fronted parakeet.

By Thursday night, 67 birds from six species or populations had received their first vaccination. Approval had also been granted to extend vaccinations to further priority wildlife populations.

Chicken and eggs remained safe to eat and the risk to human health was very low.

People who find three or more sick or dead wild birds together are being told not to touch or move them. Sightings should be reported immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

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H5N1 LIVE UPDATESUpdated 7:01 pm

17 JUL 2026
Time not published

No poultry infections detected

The Government says there has been no detection in poultry, while chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

* New Zealand Government

17 JUL 2026
Time not published

Second H5 bird flu case confirmed in Wairarapa

A single kāhu, or swamp harrier hawk, found in the Wairarapa has become New Zealand’s second confirmed H5 bird flu case.

* New Zealand Government

16 JUL 2026
1:21 PM NZST

H5 bird flu detection confirmed

Authorities have confirmed an H5 bird flu detection.

* RNZ

16 JUL 2026
9:00 AM NZST

Biosecurity response measures updated

Biosecurity and surveillance measures have been updated as agencies respond to confirmed H5 bird flu detections.

* MPI

15 JUL 2026
Time not published

Threatened native birds protected

DOC has begun vaccinating 300 core breeding birds from five highly threatened native species as part of H5N1 preparedness.

* New Zealand Government

Timeline compiled from official statements and monitored reporting. Repeated coverage of the same event is suppressed.

Status information: New Zealand Government and Ministry for Primary Industries

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