Conservation Minister Tama Potaka leads native bird vaccination effort amidst bird flu detection

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced that the Department of Conservation (DOC) is escalating its vaccination programme for native birds following the confirmation of a second case of H5 bird flu. On Friday, 17 July 2026, officials confirmed a kāhu (swamp harrier hawk) found near Carterton in Wairarapa tested positive for the virus after being taken to a wildlife hospital in Palmerston North. Minister Potaka stated that DOC has been preparing for this eventuality for several years. As of Thursday night, the Ministry for Primary Industries chief veterinary officer approved the second tranche of the vaccination response. This allows the department to extend protections to further priority species and populations that are highly endangered. Potaka told RNZ that while the programme has begun with captive birds—due to the requirement for two doses—the goal remains focused on pragmatic and practical protection for Aotearoa’s wildlife. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard noted that despite the detection, the national surveillance and testing programme is functioning as intended. While a hawk may travel to hunt and scavenge, Hoggard confirmed there has been no detection of the virus in poultry, and the risk to human health remains very low. The government is now establishing a technical advisory group and providing one-on-one support for poultry and egg operations in the Wellington and Wairarapa regions. Currently, 67 birds have received their first vaccination dose as part of a programme targeting 300 core breeding birds. Minister Potaka emphasized that he expects the DOC team to continue activating their long-term plan, drawing on existing resources to manage the response and safeguard New Zealand's unique biodiversity.