Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (H5N1) is in Aotearoa and among our wild birds.

Avian Influenza arrived in New Zealand in July 2026. So far, there is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife and we would like to keep it that way. You can help lower transmission risk by:

Report sick or dead birds

Don’t report dead individuals, but if you see three or more dead birds in one location report it to MPI.

Continue trapping

Trapping is a great way to stop rats transmitting disease from one nest to another. Grab a backyard trap on us or ask us to help with a local park trap line.

Wash your bird feeders

Wash them daily or stop using them until the disease has subsided. Keeping stations clean means less chance of disease spread when birds congregate.

Keep cats inside

We know cats love to hunt and play with birds (and rats too). Keep H5N1 away from cats and pets and lessen threats to the birds while the disease is here.

For more information , see the officail MPI updates here or the Predator Free Guide to H5N1 here.