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Man and boy fishing.

Fish and game councils

Introduction

Fish and game councils manage sports fish and game resources on behalf of anglers and game bird hunters.

Strengthening and modernising Fish and Game

The Minister for Hunting and Fishing is progressing changes to strengthen and modernise Fish and Game. This will help it manage hunting and fishing resources more effectively and efficiently and improve value for money for licence holders.

Fish and Game was established in 1990 under the Conservation Act 1987, evolving from acclimatisation societies dating back to the 1860s. Fish and Game manages freshwater sports fishing (including trout, salmon, perch and tench) and game bird hunting (including ducks, black swan, pheasants, and quail) in New Zealand, with the exception of the Taupō Trout Fishery and the Chatham Islands, both managed by DOC.

Fish and Game is made up of 12 independent regional Fish and Game Councils of up to 12 members elected by licence holders every three years, and one national coordinating body, the New Zealand Fish and Game Council, consisting of one nominated councillor from each Fish and Game Council. Each Council reports independently to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing.

Council members are all volunteers and receive no compensation for their time. Fish and Game is funded by licence fees paid by fishing and game bird hunting licence holders. It does not receive government funding.

For the 2023/24 year, Fish and Game licence fee revenue was about $12 million.

More information can be found on Fish and Game’s website.

Fish & Game New Zealand | Hunting & Fishing Information

Why changes are needed

Fish and Game has an important statutory role in managing and championing game bird hunting and freshwater angling and a strong history supporting conservation efforts. However, several reviews and audits of Fish and Game have highlighted issues that undermine performance and credibility.

These include:

  • a lack of cohesion between councils
  • duplicated effort and administrative processes across the organisation
  • variable governance performance and legislation that is out of step with modern practice
  • an electoral system which is not a fair representation of membership
  • non-hunting and non-fishing interests not always being accounted for
  • advocacy has not always been in the best interests of licence holders.

What are the changes

Clearer roles to improve outcomes

  • Advocacy functions will be revised so that the New Zealand Fish and Game Council will set direction that is binding on regional Fish and Game Councils regarding advocacy. Regional Fish and Game Councils will only be able to take court action in relation to advocacy if explicitly approved by the New Zealand Fish and Game Council or the Minister.
  • Regional Fish and Game Councils will focus their expertise on decisions that directly support hunting and fishing opportunities.
  • The New Zealand Fish and Game Council will assume responsibility for certain administrative functions.
  • The New Zealand Fish and Game Council will lead efforts to enhance performance and consistency across the organisation.
  • Licence fee collection and distribution will be centralised under the New Zealand Fish and Game Council to streamline funding for hunting and fishing activities nationwide.

Strengthening the ‘user pays, user says’ model

  • The number of councillors on each Fish and Game Council will be reduced to improve decision-making efficiency and professionalism.
  • More licence holders will be eligible to vote and stand in elections.
  • Fish and Game Councils will be expected to better consider the interests of non-hunters and non-fishers in their decisions.

Modernising governance and accountability

  • The Minister for Hunting and Fishing will have powers to intervene in exceptional circumstances, including the ability to remove councillors or appoint up to two additional regional councillors.
  • Councillors will be required to meet professional standards consistent with modern governance expectations.
  • Reporting will be improved and standardised across the organisation.
  • Election and meeting procedures will be updated to reflect contemporary best practices.

What the reform means for licence holders

What licence holders gain from the reform

  • Better value for money – You will get better hunting and fishing experiences and opportunities and/or efficiency savings passed back to you.
  • Increased eligibility – You will have greater eligibility to both vote and stand for Fish and Game elections. Meaning you will be better represented in decision-making.
  • More responsive to your interests – Fish and Game Councils can focus more on improving hunting and fishing opportunities in your region for your benefit.
  • Better regulator – By becoming more efficient and cohesive, Fish and Game can focus on its core responsibilities, grow best practice and better serve your interests.
  • Modernised and more professional organisation – Fish and Game will need to comply with the professional standards expected of modern entities.
  • Improved transparency – Fish and Game will be more transparent around objectives and performance.

What is not changing from the reform

  • How and when you can buy your licence – The process remains the same. You will still buy your licence online, by phone, at Fish and Game offices, or through regional licence agents. What is changing is how the licence fee will be collected and distributed across Fish and Game.
  • Your licence fees – These are proposed by Fish and Game and approved or declined by the responsible Minister.
  • Same overall – Fish and Game structure There will still be one coordinating New Zealand Fish and Game Council, and 12 regional Fish and Game Councils, but they will be encouraged to work more cohesively.
  • Local decision-making – Your regional Fish and Game Council will maintain decision-making and be better focussed on local matters. This means that your local Fish and Game Council will still:

    • Set size and bag limits and conditions for fish and game seasons.
    • Advocate your interests as needed, and in line the organisation’s advocacy strategy.
    • Monitor sports fish and game bird populations, your satisfaction, and the conditions and trends of habitats.
    • Ensure compliance with sports fishing and game bird hunting rules.

Next steps

A draft bill is being prepared. It is anticipated that this will be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year.

Stakeholders and interested parties can provide feedback during the select committee stage of the Bill process.

DOC will work closely with Fish and Game to discuss the changes and help support a smooth transition.

Key documents

Contact us

For any enquiries or further information, please contact us via email at fishandgamereform@doc.govt.nz.