UPDATE: 18 August 2026
The Government has launched a new Poultry Biosecurity Grant. It supports small-sized and medium-sized New Zealand poultry operators in preparing for the possible arrival of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in commercial poultry farms. Applications are open and close on 30 September 2026.
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 continue to be no detections in poultry.
Over the past several years, 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.
In September 2025, the Poultry Operational Agreement for Readiness and Response was signed under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partnership, formally establishing the Poultry Council. The Poultry Council is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the commercial poultry industry's annual readiness work programme.
This work 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.
Agreement signed on poultry biosecurity – Beehive
Avian influenza in commercial poultry – fact sheet [PDF, 495 KB]
Regulations for managing H5 bird flu in commercial poultry
In July 2026, Cabinet agreed to create regulations for managing H5 bird flu in commercial poultry.
Regulations will require commercial poultry operators with more than 100 birds (or hatching eggs) to develop, register, and implement an avian biosecurity control programme for their operation.
The programme must set out how the operator will prepare for and manage H5 bird flu.
Regulations will require a programme to do 3 main things:
- set out roles and responsibilities
- identify risks and how they will be managed
- set out how disease management will be done.
Regulations are being drafted. We expect to finalise these by the end of 2026. They'll then have to be approved by Cabinet.
Once regulations are made, operators will need to:
- register their programme with MPI within 3 months of regulations being made
- implement their programme within 12 months of regulations being made
- have the first audit of their programme within 12 months of registering their programme.
Regulations for managing H5 bird flu in commercial poultry – fact sheet [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Resources to support poultry operator preparedness
A website has been established which provides access to standards, guidelines, resources and templates to support producer preparedness through the development of flock biosecurity and response plans.
The website is a collaborative initiative between Poultry Industry Association New Zealand (PIANZ) and Egg Producers Federation (EPF).
Free advice for egg and poultry farmers
MPI has teamed up with the EPF 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 can also assist 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
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, is 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.