- Government reforms aim to modernise Fish & Game New Zealand’s national operations and advocacy approach
- Local hunting and fishing rules will stay under regional control despite major structural changes
- Federated Farmers support some reforms but remain concerned about political advocacy by the body
Fish & Game New Zealand is set to undergo major reforms aimed at improving its national management and governance while retaining regional oversight of hunting and fishing rules. Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager announced the changes, which are designed to modernise the organisation and make it more efficient.
“I want to make it as easy as possible for Kiwis to go hunting and fishing in New Zealand. This long overdue reform to Fish & Game will refocus the organisation on its core job of managing our sport fishing and game bird resources and implement a more professional approach to national decision making,” Mr Meager said.
The Government says the reforms will fix outdated legislation, eliminate duplication, and improve accountability. Meager pointed out that licence holders spend up to $138 million annually, and these activities draw international tourists and support local economies.
“Previous reviews have made clear current legislation is not fit for purpose, resulting in internal dysfunction, wasted revenue on duplicated activities and staff, variable governance practices, disconnect from licence holders and local advocacy which has overstepped the mark. These long-standing issues must be addressed,” he said.
The changes include:
- Clarifying the roles of regional councils and the New Zealand Council, with regions focusing on local opportunities and the national body handling policy and admin.
- Introducing a centralised system for collecting licence fees to improve funding efficiency.
- Expanding voting rights and eligibility for licence holders in Fish & Game elections.
- Requiring elected councillors to meet professional standards and consider wider stakeholder interests.
- Developing a national advocacy policy that sets boundaries, particularly around court action.
- Creating a stand-alone Fish & Game Act to formally recognise its public role.
“Sports fishing and game bird hunting are well-established traditions and important recreational pastimes for Kiwis. They have positive impacts on our regional economies and create wider benefits for tourism, wellbeing and our environment – making it even more crucial its regulator is modern and credible,” Meager added.
Federated Farmers responded cautiously. While they acknowledged the reforms as “a step in the right direction,” they also expressed doubt that the advocacy changes would go far enough.
"Some of these changes are long overdue and will go a long way in improving the performance and efficiency of the organisation - and that needs to be acknowledged," said hunting spokesperson Richard McIntyre.
However, he added that farmers are concerned Fish & Game may still be able to take court action or block practical environmental management steps.
"Our argument is that Fish & Game are a statutory body who collect compulsory licence fees from hunters and fishers," said Southland president Jason Herrick. "They shouldn’t be able to charge those compulsory fees and then use them to behave like an environmental activist group."
The legislation will be introduced later this year, with public and stakeholder input expected through the Select Committee process.