National News & Features > Factsheet

Number of Regions: 12

Number of Staff: 70

Number of Rangers: 300

Total Number of Licences Sold: 157,000

Fishing Licences: 123,000

Hunting Licences: 34,500

Annual Budget: $6 million

Budget breakdown (approx):
Species management 24%
Habitat protection 17%
Services to anglers and hunters 15%
Community liaison 8%
Compliance (ranging) 7%
Licensing 12%
Administration 7%
Planning & financial reporting 10%

Our Minister of Conservation:
Hon Chris Carter

The 12 Fish & Game Councils
Fish & Game Regions :
Northland
Auckland/Waikato
Eastern
Taranaki
Hawke’s Bay
Wellington
Nelson/Marlborough
North Canterbury
West Coast
Central South Island
Otago
Southland

NZ Fish & Game Council:
Based in Wellington

When was Fish & Game NZ?
Established? 1990

Why?
“For the purposes of the management, maintenance and enhancement of sports fish and game…” (Conservation Act)

Who funds it?
All funds come from the licences paid for by anglers and hunters

What is a sports fish?
Trout, salmon, char, tench, rudd and perch

What is a game bird?
Ducks, geese, swans, quail and pheasants

What regulations apply?
The regulations for what fish and birds can be taken, where from and at what time are set by Fish & Game NZ before each season. This information is provided to anglers and hunters.

Fishing season begins:
October 1

Hunting season begins:
First weekend in May

(Note: there are regional and species-based variations in the hunting season and a winter fishing season applies in some areas)
For more information contact your local Fish & Game office or the New Zealand Council on (04) 499 4767 or fax (04) 499 4768