Bird flu and what it means for commercial poultry farmers
The first detection of H5 bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b) in New Zealand was confirmed on 15 July 2026. There continues to be no detections in poultry.
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.
H5 bird flu spreads quickly by direct bird-to-bird contact. It also spreads indirectly through bird contact with feed, water, clothing, equipment, materials, and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.
Infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces (droppings). Droppings from a single bird can contain enough virus to infect thousands of birds. Once one bird in a flock is infected, H5 bird flu can spread through the flock within days.
Poultry industry preparedness programme
In September 2025, a Government Industry Agreement (GIA) formally established the Poultry Council to oversee the delivery of a joint readiness work programme between MPI and industry.
This programme aims to minimise impacts on the poultry sector and safeguard New Zealand’s chicken and egg supply by improving poultry farm biosecurity and establishing acceptable practice standards to guide eradication on individual farms.
As part of this work, a website has been established which provides access to standards, guidelines and resources to support producers’ preparedness through the development of flock biosecurity and response plans.
Bird flu Biosecurity Aotearoa
Media release: Agreement signed on poultry biosecurity – Beehive
Check your industry website for more advice and resources.
Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand
Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand
Free preparedness and response advice for egg and poultry farmers
MPI has teamed up with the Egg Producers Federation and PIANZ to provide free support for egg and poultry farmers with H5 bird flu readiness and response preparation.
Biosecurity planning
MPI's On Farm Support team can help develop a tailored biosecurity plan for egg farmers.
An On Farm Support regional advisor will talk with you about your existing biosecurity practices and what else you could be doing to strengthen your on-farm biosecurity. Every farm is different, so advisors work with farmers to develop practical, site-specific biosecurity plans that reflect the size and type of operation, as well as the farmer's own objectives.
See our fact sheet for further information about this free support. To access the service, email your farm location and contact details with the subject line 'Poultry biosecurity support' to onfarmsupport@mpi.govt.nz.
Biosecurity support for egg farmers – fact sheet [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Response planning
On Farm Support also offers assistance with the development of poultry farm response plans. A response plan helps prepare your business should your flock become infected with H5 bird flu. Key considerations include:
- depopulation of affected birds
- disposal of birds and potentially infectious materials
- cleaning and disinfection of the site
- planning for the reintroduction of birds, where appropriate.
Templates, guidance material, technical information and contractor contacts are available on the Bird Flu Biosecurity Aotearoa website managed by PIANZ.
If you would like support with developing a response plan, contact PIANZ, and they will arrange for a member of the On Farm Support team to get in touch. Email: info@pianz.org.nz
Information, including plan templates, plan guidance material, technical information, and contractor contacts are available on the PIANZ website.
If you wish to talk to a member of On Farm Support, contact PIANZ and they will organise this. Email: info@pianz.org.nz
Steps you can take to prevent disease in your birds
Implementing rigorous on-farm biosecurity has the potential to protect individual farms from infection and to limit impacts on the domestic supply of poultry meat and eggs.
Wild birds and their faeces are the greatest risk for introduction of H5 bird flu, so keeping your flocks away from wild birds and wild bird faeces is the critical measure to reduce risk.
Poultry can get infected if they mix with wild birds (direct contact) or are exposed to wild bird faeces, feathers or carcases (indirect contact). Feed, water, bedding, housing or equipment can be contaminated by direct or indirect contact.
If you haven’t already, we recommend developing business continuity or contingency plans and reviewing your biosecurity to ensure you’re taking all necessary steps to protect your commercial flocks.
Here are some steps you can take.