NZ moves to vaccinate endangered birds as H5N1 arrives

New Zealand, once the last bird-flu-free country in Oceania, confirmed two alive H5N1 infections and began vaccinating about 300 breeding pairs across five critically endangered native species (notably kakapo and takahe) to shield wildlife, while tightening biosecurity and planning for potential poultry culling if an outbreak spreads; kiwis are not yet included in vaccination.