"A key part of the application assessment by the Ministry for Primary Industries will be whether an effective vaccine is available to protect farmed and pet rabbits from the new variant. The virus only infects rabbits and there are no human health risks associated with RHDV1," Mr Sullivan said.
The Paeroa breeder and other rabbit lovers said they will still rally on May 13-16 in Auckland to raise awareness of K5.
"I will still bring some of my rabbits at the Easter Show, we will have some signs and a petition for people to sign and get them notified," Donna said.
Introduced recently in Australia as biocontrol measure to reduce pest rabbit numbers, the new virus, if approved in New Zealand, could affect pet rabbits and the industry, Donna says.
The virus will need to be approved by the Ministry of Primary Industry, under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act and the Biosecurity Act.
MPI said this new strain is a potentially important tool in the ongoing fight against wild rabbits, which are a very serious pest in some parts of New Zealand.
North Otago and South Canterbury regions are seeking to control wild rabbit populations.
Senior Communications Advisor for the Ministry for Primary Industries, Nikki Prendergast says New Zealanders will be publicly notified of any application.
"Under the ACVM Act, publicly notified applications have 70 working days, including a 30-day public submission process, for MPI to make a decision on the application," she said.
Released in Australia across more than 600 sites, the new Korean strain of calicivirus virus has proved successful.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) scientists have confirmed the first pest rabbit kill.
The dead rabbit was found near one of the national release sites on the outskirts of Canberra.
Andreas Glanznig, Invasive Animals (CRC) CEO said that the result confirms that K5 is starting to work and boosting rabbit control efforts within Australia.
"While this is the first confirmed case, we have had other reports of dead rabbits from around Australia logged in to our RabbitScan Portal," he said.
Donna Hanley says she is still determined to be heard.
"I have been working with bunnies for so long, they are my family and I do not imagine waking up without them," she said.
A petition against the virus has collected more than 5000 signatures.
MPI says it understands that rabbits are important members of the family for many New Zealanders - and are also farmed animals.
"A key part of MPI's assessment process of any application to import and release K5 in New Zealand would be whether there is an effective and available vaccine to protect farmed and pet rabbits.
"In deciding whether to approve an application, MPI is required by law to assess the risks to public health, animal welfare, biosecurity and trade. Any public feedback will be also be considered as part of MPI's assessment process," Ms Prendergast said.