The H5N1 strain of bird flu – the highly infectious variant that has swept across the Northern Hemisphere since 2020 and recently reached Australia – was confirmed in New Zealand yesterday after a brown skua found on Petone Beach in Wellington tested positive.

Biosecurity minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed the result, telling reporters at 1News the government was well prepared and agencies were already working with industry and councils to protect poultry, wildlife and communities.

Filmed and edited by Isaiah Tour.
Written and presented by Robbie Nicol, based on The Spinoff’s Bulletin.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.