The Government has launched a new NZD 1.5 million grant to help Kiwi poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 bird flu) on commercial poultry farms.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the Government has supported Kiwi poultry operators to strengthen their preparedness for H5 bird flu, helping protect jobs, livelihoods and New Zealand’s domestic food supply.
“That’s why we’ve launched the Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small- to medium-sized poultry producers make practical improvements to protect their flocks,” said Hoggard.
Grant funding will reimburse producers up to 50 percent of costs, to a maximum of NZD 25,000, to support improvements that reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread, including infrastructure, access controls, bird-proofing measures, and cleaning and disinfection facilities.
“The new grant was developed in partnership with industry and builds on the significant preparedness work already underway.”
The grant will enable small to medium-sized poultry operators with less than 100,000 birds to get ahead of the new biosecurity regulations announced by the Government in July.
The regulations will come into force by the end of 2026 to help lift on-farm readiness and give operators the best possible chance to protect their flocks and businesses.
‘Poultry operators can also use up to NZD 3,000 of the Grant funding if they need help developing the biosecurity plans required under the regulations.”
New Zealand has recorded two confirmed detections of H5 bird flu, with no further detections since the 17th of July 2026. There is no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife, and no detections in poultry.
Hoggard added that H5 bird flu has spread widely overseas and continues to pose a significant risk to New Zealand’s poultry sector, food production systems, and wider economy. Strong on-farm biosecurity is one of our best defences against H5 bird flu, and we are fully committed to backing the efforts of Kiwi poultry operators.
Applications for the Poultry Biosecurity Grant are open now and close on the 30th of September 2026.
