National News > May 2009

Update on Fish & Game’s Response to the TVNZ/Close Up item on ‘duck shooting’ Monday 4 May

On Monday 4 May TVNZ/Close Up broadcast an item “Mixing it up in the maimai”. The item depicted the antics of a group of young men during the 2009 Gamebird Hunting Season Opening Weekend 2,3 May 2009 behaving very badly. The item can be viewed at http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/mixing-up-mai-mai-2702486/video.

Not surprisingly, Fish & Game received a huge number of comments expressing disgust, disappointment and frustration that such an item would be broadcast in New Zealand.

What has Fish & Game done so far?

Fish & Game widely promulgated messages regarding the item, encouraged individuals to respond directly to TVNZ expressing their concerns, advised how to do this, and asked that the message be disseminated widely. As a consequence, TVNZ received a huge number of complaints.

The NZ Fish & Game Council’s immediate response to TVNZ can be viewed here

We lodged a formal complaint under the Broadcast Standards Act today (Thursday), detailing alleged breaches of a number of broadcasting standards. I understand many other concerned hunters and members of the public have done likewise.

We have maintained liaison with other groups such as Mountain Safety Council and COLFO to ensure an effective and coordinated response.

We have maintained contact with NZ Police, and continue to encourage and support the Police’s inquires. The Police are progressing with their inquiries, and once all available information is collected and assessed, they will make their decision on how to proceed. This is entirely appropriate and the Police’s operational decisions must be accepted and supported – they have all the facts and must work within the existing law and procedures.

What next?

We await the outcome of the initial Police investigation.

We await the outcome of the Broadcasting Standards complaint, with the expectation that TVNZ/Close Up will go to some lengths to correct the misleading and offensive messages presented in the item, and apologise to the vast majority of gamebird hunters and the general public.

In the mean time, you are encouraged to add your comments to the growing pile at TVNZ. For emailed feedback to TVNZ, click here http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/816462/869443 You may also wish to lodge a formal complaint under the BSA. You have until 24 May to do this, and the BSA website is www.bsa.govt.nz

Additionally, you may wish to compliment TV3/Campbell Live for their excellent item on the young duck hunter broadcast on Wednesday night http://www.3news.co.nz/11-year-old-duck-shooter-a-crack-shot/tabid/367/articleID/102970/cat/221/Default.aspx

Regards

Ric Cullinane
Communications and Marketing Manager
New Zealand Fish & Game Council
Email: rcullinane@fishandgame.org.nz