Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says bird flu arriving in New Zealand is inevitable, warning of potential impacts on egg and chicken meat prices.
The warning comes as Australia reported its first bird flu case on 20 June in a brown skua bird found on a Western Australian beach, with a second case confirmed two days later.
Hoggard said the virus could reach New Zealand via sea birds from Antarctica or from Australia if it spreads there. The minister warned that if bird flu enters a commercial barn or free-range flock, the death rate would be 75% to 100%.
Hoggard is scheduled to discuss the outbreak with Australia's Assistant Minister of Agriculture Anthony Chisholm on Wednesday, focusing on how effective Australia's response plans have been. Australia's Agriculture Minister was unable to travel to New Zealand due to the outbreak.
Poultry Industry Association executive director Fiona MacMillan said the industry has been consulting with international partners experienced in managing the disease. She said New Zealand's position as among the last places to face bird flu has given the country time to learn from other nations' experiences.
MacMillan said wild birds are the most likely entry point, though mammals could also carry the disease. She told farmers to monitor for symptoms such as swelling or discolouration of the head or neck, lethargy, reduced appetite, and laying birds refusing to produce eggs.
Free-range chicken farmer Chris Martin, whose Carterton farm produces 18,000 eggs daily, has introduced a QR code system for farm visitors. Martin said his chicken shed was rebuilt to keep wild birds out and has established a three-tier alert system based on risk levels.
The Ministry of Primary Industries is advising the public to report sightings of three or more dead birds.