Date:  27 April 2021 Source:  Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation

Fish & Game manages sport fishing and game bird hunting across New Zealand and has had an unaltered structure since it was set up in 1990.

The report is the result of a ministerial review initiated last year by former Minister Sage in order to ensure Fish & Game’s governance and structure were “fit for purpose” today.

The independent review, undertaken by Belinda Clark and John Mills, found Fish & Game plays an important role in environmental advocacy and stewardship. It also identified significant opportunities to strengthen governance and management good practices.

“These opportunities to strengthen governance and good practice are something Fish & Game can proceed with immediately – indeed some of these actions are already underway,” Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

“I am releasing this report today so the organisation has good guidance from the review.

“There is a second group of recommendations which would require legislative change. As Acting Minister I am seeking further advice from the Department of Conservation on these, as they require careful consideration by the Government, given policy and legislative implications.

“In the meantime Fish & Game has sufficient work to do on implementing best practice.

“Along with releasing the report, I am establishing an implementation steering group which will be chaired by Fish & Game national chairman Ray Grubb and supported by senior staff from Fish & Game and the Department of Conservation.

“While I am supporting Fish & Game’s leadership in their response to the report, it is also important for stakeholders that monitoring of progress is undertaken by the steering group.”

Dr Verrall thanked the reviewers for doing a thorough job, engaging widely with stakeholders and proposing solutions to some long-standing issues.

“I am now looking forward to Fish & Game adopting changes which will make it a much more fit-for-purpose organisation in terms of serving its core stakeholders, enabling Māori expression of rangatiratanga and in protecting the freshwater and other values so precious to all New Zealanders.”

Review of NZ Fish and Game report (PDF, 643K)

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