New Zealand’s poultry industry is on high alert for H5N1 bird flu after Australia confirms cases of the highly pathogenic virus. Multiple reports say the developments in Australia have heightened concern among chicken farmers because New Zealand is not currently reported to have H5N1. The articles state that H5N1 in Australia is the first recorded case of this strain there and that two cases have been confirmed. They also note that New Zealand has previously responded to other bird flu strains, citing an outbreak-control measure at Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove egg farm in 2024. According to the reports, about 80,000 hens were slaughtered in 2024 to contain an H7N6 outbreak. Taken together, the coverage indicates that the Australian H5N1 findings prompt vigilance in New Zealand’s poultry sector, with authorities and farmers monitoring for potential spread while maintaining the position that H5N1 is not present in New Zealand as of the reporting. The reporting does not specify additional New Zealand detections beyond the heightened alert.