58101 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity

58101 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity: What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the death rate of avian flu on indigenous wildlife?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised that the potential impact on New Zealand’s indigenous wildlife is difficult to quantify. The current globally-circulating strain of HPAI has had variable impacts across many different species of both birds and mammals. It is more likely to affect colony nesting birds such as red and black-billed gulls, gannets, terns and other seabirds or animals interacting with these birds, due to the close contact transmission of the virus through secretions and droppings.