Third H5 bird flu case found in Wellington region

Friday 21 August 2026 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 21 Aug, 5:39pm

In this story Ministry for Primary Industries

A northern giant petrel found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu. This marks the third confirmed case in the Wellington region, following previous detections in a brown skua and a swamp harrier.

How they headlined it

5:18pm

1. NZ HeraldFri 21 Aug, 5:18pm

   Bird flu: Third H5 case found in northern giant petrel at Cape Palliser (opens in new tab)

2. StuffFri 21 Aug, 5:22pm

   Third H5N1 bird flu case found in Wellington region (opens in new tab)

3. The Press via RNZFri 21 Aug, 5:39pm

   Third case of H5 bird flu found in Wellington region (opens in new tab)

   Also on Waikato Times (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)