On Thursday 15 October 2026, Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC) and Te Tira Whakamātaki (TTW) co-hosted a free online webinar bringing together experts from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Department of Conservation (DOC), Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand), and Bay of Plenty Regional Council to answer the questions New Zealanders are asking right now.
The Ministry for Primary Industries, which is leading the national H5 bird flu response, will be represented by Maryna Sokolova, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer. “H5 bird flu is no longer a distant threat, and New Zealand is responding quickly to reduce impacts on wildlife and communities, and to protect poultry production.
“It’s important people understand what H5 bird flu is, what it means for New Zealand, and the simple steps they can take to protect wildlife, limit spread, and keep safe.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries is working closely with partners across government, iwi, industry, and local authorities to prepare for and respond to H5 bird flu. Events like this webinar are an important way to share information and help communities understand the role they can play in the response.”
The webinar covered
The webinar is designed to be informative without being overwhelming, covering the key things people need to know:
The current status of the H5 bird flu response in Aotearoa, who is leading it, and how agencies are working together
What to expect from H5 bird flu here, including transmission between birds, marine life, other animals, and the risk to humans
What to do if you find a sick or dead bird, how to report it, and what happens next
DOC role in protecting native wildlife, including vaccine prioritisation, conservation concerns, and what a mass die-back event would mean for our taonga species
Long-term management planning and how Regional Councils are preparing for and coordinating the response
Human health risks associated with H5 bird flu, symptoms, transmission, and how to protect yourself