Anglers and game bird hunters seek certainty for rivers, wetlands and access this election

New Zealand's 175,000 licensed anglers and game bird hunters are calling on political parties to make practical commitments this election.

In Fish & Game's annual survey, licence holders have identified recognition of fishing and game bird hunting in law, public access to the outdoors, protection for rivers, lakes and wetlands, and a resource management system that works for the species and habitats New Zealanders value as their most important issues.

“Our community is 175,000-strong, the size of Hamilton, and our people vote,” Chief Executive Corina Jordan says.

“They are everyday New Zealanders in rural communities, towns and cities who care about clean water, healthy habitats and the freedom to get outdoors. This election we are asking MPs to pay attention to what matters to our community.

“This should matter to all New Zealanders who care about freshwater – trout need the cleanest water of any freshwater species in the country. When they're thriving, the river is in good shape and when they're not, it's often a sign something is wrong upstream.”

In the organisation's latest annual licence holder survey, nearly 80 per cent of respondents rated making submissions to government on law changes as important, and support for Fish & Game working collaboratively with landowners and community groups to protect the habitat of sports fish and game birds ran as high as 93 per cent.

Persuading lawmakers to set freshwater health outcomes that protect fish and bird habitat drew backing from close to nine in 10.

“Licence holders are clear about what they want from us, and about what they want from the people who make the rules,” Jordan says. “That mandate is what we bring to every political party this election.”

 

What licence holders are calling for

• Recognise fishing and game bird hunting in law. Trout, salmon and game birds are part of New Zealand's ecosystems and traditions. Licence holders want angling and game bird hunting explicitly recognised as values to be provided for across relevant legislation, alongside indigenous species.
• Protect public access to the outdoors. Access is the number one issue for licence holders. Fish & Game maintains more than 3,000 access points nationwide and our licence holders support keeping access and recreation provisions in resource management reform, digitally mapping public access over private land, and stopping the erosion of access through paper road closures and land sales.
• Strengthen protection for rivers and lakes. Licence holders want robust bottom lines for water quality and quantity that protect the habitat of trout and salmon, and strong Water Conservation Order processes.
• Protect wetlands. Only around 10 per cent of New Zealand's original wetlands remain. Fish & Game and its hunters have invested millions restoring wetlands on private rural land, and want government to make restoration easier, halt further loss, and factor wetland values into renewable energy planning.

 

Resource management reform

Fish & Game think a small number of targeted fixes are needed before the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill pass their final readings, so the new system protects fishing and game bird hunting.

1. Trout and salmon habitat. The definition of ecosystem was widened to include introduced species, which was welcome, but that change did not carry through to life-supporting capacity, which still refers only to indigenous species. Because environmental limits are anchored to life-supporting capacity, local government councils will struggle to set limits that protect trout, salmon or game bird habitat.
2. Public access. The new legislation lacks a clear goal promoting public access to rivers, lakes, wetlands and the wider outdoors, including creating esplanade reserves when subdivisions are made.
3. Fish & Game's management plans. The planning framework reduces the influence of Fish & Game's Sports Fish and Game Management Plans, which represent decades of monitoring and regional expertise. New planning documents would not have to be consistent with them.
4. Wildlife permits. The bills propose that regional councils be able to issue wildlife permits, which could mean decisions about culling Fish & Game managed species are made without the organisation's knowledge and monitoring information.

Fish & Game acknowledges the select committee made welcome improvements, including clarifying that wetlands sit within freshwater ecosystems, retaining Water Conservation Orders, and restoring the more workable concept of mitigating adverse effects.

“We are not asking for a rewrite,” Jordan says. “We are asking for sensible, achievable commitments that would give anglers and game bird hunters certainty and deliver on what these reforms promise. A good outcome here is a good story for everyone, including whoever forms the next government.”