Low levels of the H5N1 virus have been found in two samples taken from Mallard ducks in New Zealand.

It came from a surveillance programme researching the presence of avian influenza.

Known as LPAI H5N1, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says it is different to "bird flu" which is the highly pathogenic form of the virus.

Spokesman Dr Andre van Haldren says the samples were taken from healthy birds and there have been no reported bird deaths or disease. He says this confirms that strains of non disease causing avian influenza viruses are present in our wild bird populations.