- Hon Andrew Hoggard
The Government has launched a new $1.5 million grant to help Kiwi poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in commercial poultry farms, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
“The Government is supporting 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-medium sized poultry producers make practical improvements to protect their flocks.”
Grant funding will reimburse producers up to 50 percent of costs, to a maximum of $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 $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 17 July 2026. There is no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife, and no detections in poultry.
“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,” says Mr Hoggard
Applications for the Poultry Biosecurity Grant are open now until 30 September 2026.
Further information, including grant guidance and application materials, is available here.
