New Zealand
Bird flu, El Niño fears prompt $150,000 native bird care appeal
The appeal will fund quarantine upgrades, a seabird ward and new brooders.
Latest from Bird Flu
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
'Disbelief': US farmer shares hard lessons from bird flu outbreak
'It’s a pretty traumatic experience to go through, so it’s changed me as a human being.'
NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Friday, July 24, 2026
NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Life sentence for Lyn Fleming's killer and DoC vaccinating more species against bird flu | Friday, July 24, 2026. Video / NZ Herald, Getty Images
Wellington Zoo halts penguin encounters amid bird flu precautions
Tests confirmed the H5N1 strain in a brown skua brought in earlier this month.
Hundreds of thousands of free-range hens locked down after bird flu found in NZ
Mainland Poultry has isolated more than 550,000 free-range hens as a precaution.
Half a million hens locked down due to bird flu | Ryan Bridge TODAY
Mainland Poultry CEO John McKay says the company has housed its free-range hens as a precaution following the second case of bird flu. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
No new bird flu cases in NZ but MPI fields surge in public reports
Australian authorities are testing a baby humpback whale that washed up on a NSW beach.
NZ Herald Headlines | Saturday, July 18, 2026
Morning Headlines | Andy Burnham officially takes over as the UK's Prime Minister and a second bird has tested positive for bird flu | Saturday, July 18, 2026
Second bird flu case confirmed as Govt ramps up response
A native hawk found in Wairarapa is the second case of H5 bird flu.
How H5N1 reached NZ and what it means for our birds
H5N1 bird flu has reached New Zealand. Virologist Jemma Geoghegan joins The Front Page and explains the risks to wildlife, poultry and the wider public.
Bird flu: What could the outbreak mean for NZ's $2.2 billion poultry industry? | Ryan Bridge TODAY
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard explains how serious the outbreak could be for New Zealand's birdlife and poultry industry. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
Newly arrived bird flu could wipe out NZ’s endangered species, expert warns
A seabird found on Petone beach tested positive for the H5 bird flu strain.
'Unknown risk to our native birds' – Govt urges vigilance as bird flu reaches NZ
A seabird infected with the H5N1 bird flu strain was found on a Wellington beach.
Giant petrel found dead on Farewell Spit to be tested for bird flu
The giant petrel was discovered by Pest Free Onetahua staff on Wednesday.
Flu jabs for native birds: DoC prepares for the deadly H5N1 bird flu | Ryan Bridge TODAY
DoC senior science adviser Kate McInnes tells Herald NOW how five of our most vulnerable species will be vaccinated following a world-first trial. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
DoC to vaccinate rare native birds against H5N1 threat
The plan covers kākāpō, takahē, kakī, kākāriki karaka and tūturuatu.
NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Bird flu in Australia, Venezuela earthquakes kill 920
NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Bird flu in Australia, Venezuela earthquakes kill 920, Plane Crashes Into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper | 27 June 2026
Second H5 bird flu case confirmed in Western Australia as authorities urge caution
Six more birds are being tested as officials stress the outbreak appears isolated.
Deadly bird flu strain hits Australia: What it means for New Zealand | Ryan Bridge TODAY
MPI chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel says, 'This is a serious disease.' Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Saturday, June 20, 2026
NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Saturday, June 20, 2026
Chooks back on the lay after bird flu outbreak
'It’s really nice to have a busy farm back, fully populated with birds.'
Bird deaths spread – avian botulism suspected at Whangārei water dam
Tests are underway to rule out bird flu after 25 birds have died in a second outbreak.
Bird flu ravaging Antarctic wildlife, scientist warns
The April 2024 strain was first found in five dead skuas in Antarctica.
DoC tracks Muriwai gannets to map bird flu risk
The tracking will run until 2026, when the birds moult their tail feathers.