Fish &Game New Zealand Political Party Questionnaire 2026

Summary of party responses

Fish & Game New Zealand invited the parliamentary parties to set out their positions on issues of core importance to anglers, hunters and all New Zealanders who value our rivers, lakes and wetlands. The responses below are summarised from each party's submission and are presented in order of current parliamentary seat share. Fish & Game holds a neutral political position. Te Pāti Māori did not respond to the questionnaire.  

 

Original questionnaires and unedited responses

• The original questionnaire, sent to all political parties, can be found here.
• The original responses from each participating party are available below.

 

PUBLIC ACCESS TO RIVERS, LAKES AND WETLANDS

QUESTION 1: PUBLIC ACCESS TO RIVERS AND LAKES

Will your party ensure public access to rivers and lakes is preserved and enhanced when land is subdivided, sold to an overseas owner, and conservation land is reclassified?

 

National answered yes. Where legal access to rivers, lakes and hunting opportunities has been provided for, it expects that access to be upheld. It pointed to its Access Charter for Recreational Hunting and Fishing on Public Conservation Land and Waters, which safeguards recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land and said it would strengthen the Charter by adding the Game Animal Council, Land Information New Zealand and the Overseas Investment Office as signatories. It said it would provide existing recreational access is protected when sensitive land is purchased by overseas investors, and that maintaining hunting and fishing access would be a key requirement of any conservation land reclassification.

Labour said it recognises the value to rivers and lakes matters deeply to anglers, hunters and all New Zealanders.

The Green Party answered yes, saying it is committed to protecting and enhancing public access to rivers, lakes and wetlands. Its policy supports strong legal safeguards, including requiring the retention of esplanade reserves and marginal strips when land is subdivided or changes ownership. The party said it opposes the sale or reclassification of conservation land that reduces public access, and advocates for robust public interest tests and community engagement before any changes are made.

ACT said access matters enormously and that the vast majority of major rivers and lakes are already publicly owned, making access the default. On privately owned land, ACT emphasised property rights and an owner's right to manage access, while hoping landowners work with fishers and hunters. It said the same applies to overseas sales: the rights attached to land do not change with ownership. Existing mechanisms such as marginal strips, esplanade reserves and legal roads continue to apply, and the Overseas Investment regime already allows public-access conditions on sensitive land.

New Zealand First said it will ensure public access is protected, and specifically guaranteed free access to the conservation estate for all New Zealanders. Its position is that subdivision, overseas ownership changes and conservation land reclassification should trigger explicit consideration of public access, with a default expectation that existing access is retained and new access explored, particularly where Fish & Game points exist. NZF said it supports conditions on consents, covenants, esplanade reserves and strips, and access easements to secure enduring access while respecting property rights.

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QUESTION 2: OUTDOOR ACCESS COMMISSION

How will your party support the work of the Outdoor Access Commission, including getting new and restored public access for fishing and hunting?

 

National said it would continue a multi-party approach, with the Minister for Hunting and Fishing's office taking a lead role in bringing together hunting and fishing organisations such as the NZ Deerstalkers' Association and Fish & Game with the Outdoor Access Commission, DOC, councils and other agencies to resolve access disputes. It said it would ensure the Outdoor Access Commission's public access maps are considered as part of its investment in a new planning and environmental system, and would give hunters and fishers a voice by replacing an existing Conservation Authority and Conservation Board seat with a permanent representative from the hunting and fishing sector. It said it would also support additional upland game preserves, sensible freshwater game fishing regulations such as adjusting bag limits, and reform of Fish & Game to focus more on wetlands and game bird habitats. National said it would require the Game Bird Habitat Trust to be more proactive with game bird stamp funding, and continue supporting the Backcountry Hut Trust.

Labour said it supports the work of the Outdoor Access Commission and the importance of New Zealanders being able to get to and along waterways, and that it is happy to work with the Commission and stakeholders like Fish & Game on this.

The Green Party said it supports increasing funding for organisations that identify, restore and expand public access points, while ensuring sensitive ecological habitats are protected. It said it would support outdoor recreation by backing off-road tracks that enable a range of activities, give access to parks, bush and waterways, and connect communities.

ACT said it is a strong supporter of hunting and fishing and recognises access to land is fundamental, wanting hunters and anglers able to get into the bush and onto the water without unnecessary barriers. It said it backs working to ensure the voices of hunters and fishers are better represented in decision-making institutions, including through proposed changes to the New Zealand Conservation Authority.

New Zealand First said it supports the restoration and maintenance of access, framing the preservation and enhancement of the environment as sound economics, and advocates for sustainable management of wilderness areas for all users. Specifically, it said it encourages local governments to use community wage schemes for the maintenance of waterways and beaches, to keep them accessible for recreation.

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FISHING AND GAME BIRD HUNTING TRADITIONS

QUESTION 3: FISHING AND GAME BIRD HUNTING TRADITIONS

Does your party value our fishing and game bird hunting traditions and the benefits they bring to Kiwis, and what policies do you have to support people to go fishing and hunting?

 

National answered "absolutely," calling these traditions an important part of national identity that connect people with the outdoors, support regional economies and play a significant role in conservation. It recognised hunters and anglers as some of the country's strongest conservation advocates, contributing to pest control and habitat management, with licence fees and volunteer effort helping fund wetlands, waterways and game bird populations. National said its focus is on keeping these opportunities accessible by maintaining healthy habitats, investing in predator and wild animal control, improving access, and ensuring regulations are practical and evidence-based. It cited investment in controlling wilding pines and continued partnership with Fish & Game and hunting organisations.

Labour answered yes, saying that fishing and game bird hunting are part of a lot of New Zealanders value.

The Green Party said it recognises that fishing and game bird hunting have important cultural and recreational benefits. It said it supports policies that ensure equitable and safe access for all people, protect the health of freshwater habitats and threatened species, and provide for sustainable harvest.

ACT said it does value these traditions, describing hunting and fishing as part of who New Zealanders are, connecting people to the land, supporting rural and provincial communities, and delivering environmental benefits through the conservation work hunters and anglers do. It said it has pushed for changes to give hunters greater representation on the New Zealand Conservation Authority, and wants to keep making it easier for New Zealanders to fish and hunt for future generations. ACT said it would also create an infringement offence for harassing game bird hunters with drones or helicopters, to protect both the birds and the hunters who value them.

New Zealand First said it highly values these traditions as a vital part of national identity. To support participation, it said it advocates for sensible firearms laws that encourage safe and continued use, and supports the Game Animal Council, formed to oversee the management of major game species. It added that it remains firmly opposed to any licensing system for recreational saltwater fishers.

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QUESTION 4: RECOGNISING AND PROTECTING VALUED INTRODUCED SPECIES, INCLUDING IN LEGISLATION DEFINING ECOSYSTEM HEALTH

Will your party ensure freshwater frameworks continue to recognise and protect valued introduced species like trout and salmon, as well as game birds, and should these species be provided for in legislation defining ecosystem health? Refer note

 

National answered yes, saying many animals introduced over time have special recreational, economic, environmental and cultural value, are not pests, and hold a special place in New Zealand's ecosystem. It noted valued introduced species are recognised as a species category in documents such as the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020. National said it has drafted the Valued Introduced Species Legislation Amendment Bill, which provides a statutory definition, requires the Department to ensure sustainable management of those species for recreational, economic, environmental or cultural purposes, and excludes them from the general requirement to exterminate introduced plants and animals.

Labour said it recognises the value New Zealanders place on trout, salmon and game birds, and that it believes freshwater frameworks should continue to take account of the habitats that support them. It said the management of introduced species like trout and salmon should be linked to biodiversity values.

The Green Party said freshwater is a taonga and the foundation of many ecosystems, and acknowledged that trout and salmon fishing has recreational and economic benefits, with protection of their habitat having been a key method to also protect native fish habitats. However, it said introduced species can have negative effects on lakes, rivers and streams and the native species within them, and that its policy acknowledges that healthy ecosystems may sometime require the removal of pest fish. It said protecting valued and declining indigenous species will, in specific circumstances, involve controlling introduced fish populations, and that the habitat of trout and salmon should be protected as far as this is consistent with overall ecosystem health.

ACT said the Government is consulting on new freshwater national direction, and that it supports ensuring frameworks properly recognise and provide for the management of these species and their habitats. It said Fish & Game's mandate to manage sports fish and game birds remains intact. ACT noted it supported strengthening the Herds of Special Interest and that this could be extended further, and said recognising the role valued introduced species play in the current ecosystem is important for both environmental and economic outcomes.

New Zealand First said it will ensure these species are protected because it recognises game species are now endemic to New Zealand, and that they should be managed through sustainable hunting rather than eradication. It said that through its coalition agreement it has committed to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater to better reflect the interests of all water users. It added that it believes sustainable populations of species such as browsing quadrupeds, and by extension managed game, are essential to the ongoing health and regeneration of natural environments.

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QUESTION 6: TROUT AND SALMON HABITATS WHEN SETTING ENVIRONMENTAL THRESHOLDS

What is your party's position on recognising the importance of trout and salmon habitats when setting environmental thresholds?

 

National said it recognises the importance of trout and salmon habitats when setting environmental thresholds. It said its resource management, planning and environmental legislation factors in that importance in balance with other considerations, including the health of the waterway and the economic value of freshwater fish species and other uses such as irrigation, drinking water, electricity generation, water storage and recreation, alongside social and cultural benefits.

Labour said it believes the management of trout and salmon habitats should be linked to biodiversity values.

The Green Party said it supports setting strong water quality thresholds that recognise the habitat needs of sensitive indicator species, including trout and salmon, where their presence is appropriate and not a significant threat to native species, in order to maintain ecosystem health.

ACT said trout and salmon are sensitive to water quality, so protecting their habitat is in many ways a proxy for protecting the health of rivers and streams more broadly. It said it supports environmental thresholds grounded in science that reflect the needs of both native and valued introduced species, and wants a framework that is practical and achievable while delivering real outcomes for anglers, farmers and communities.

New Zealand First said habitat protection is critical, which is why it has made addressing the pollution of streams, rivers and beaches a priority. It said its policy supports Farm Evironment Plans administered catchment-by-catchment by Regional Councils, allowing for thresholds that protect specific local habitats.  

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WETLAND PROTECTION AND RESTORATION

QUESTION 7: PROTECTION, RESTORATION AND CREATION OF WETLANDS

What is your party going to do to support the protection, restoration and creation of wetlands?

 

National described wetlands as some of New Zealand's most valuable ecosystems and said it supports a practical approach combining environmental outcomes with local knowledge and community action, while protecting significant natural wetlands and making restoration easier for landowners, iwi, community groups, councils and organisations such as Fish & Game. It said it would invest in freshwater and biodiversity outcomes, particularly where the outcome is a net environmental gain, by reforming the Resource Management Act, the Conservation Act and the Crown Pastoral Land Act. National said it would continue reforming Fish & Game to focus more on wetland restoration and habitat outcomes and less on bureaucracy. 

Labour said it supports the protection and restoration of wetlands.

The Green Party said it would increase investment in wetland protection and restoration, strengthen legal protections for remaining wetlands on public and private land. It said it backs stronger national standards and local action to ensure wetlands are restored for biodiversity, water quality and climate resilience.

ACT said it supports practical, outcomes-focused wetland protection built on partnerships between landowners, hunters and conservation organisations, and wants to remove unnecessary red tape that slows genuine restoration. It pointed to its support for voluntary nature markets, noting that this term ACT Minister Andrew Hoggard announced the Government would support expanding a Voluntary Carbon Credits Market, including pilot projects and a pathway to accredit creditable schemes. ACT said this can unlock new, non-taxpayer funding for wetland restoration, riparian planting and pest control by connecting landowners and community groups with private investors.

New Zealand First said it will actively support these efforts by assisting landowners to create wetlands, supporting riparian planting and fencing off waterways to improve river quality. It said this includes supporting local government contestable funds where councils and landowners share costs, and funding environmental programmes similar to Jobs for Nature. It said it also advocates for catchment-level management and preservation of wetlands for all users.

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QUESTION 8: PERMITTED ACTIVITIES FOR WETLAND MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION AND CREATION

What is your party's position on permitted activities for wetland maintenance, restoration, and creation?

 

National said its direction under the freshwater and RMA reform programme has been to make wetland maintenance, restoration and creation easier, not harder, while continuing to protect significant natural wetlands. It said its 2025 freshwater reform consultation proposed making the creation and maintenance of wetlands a permitted activity, introducing new permitted activity standards for wetland construction, and new policy direction to encourage wetland creation and edge-of-field mitigation. It said reducing on-farm compliance costs would free up resources for landowners to invest in restoration.

Labour said it recognises the rules need to protect wetlands while still allowing genuine restoration and creation work to happen, and that it would want to get that balance right in consultation with those involved.

The Green Party said it supports removing barriers and enabling permitted activities for wetland maintenance and restoration, provided they have demonstrated positive ecological outcomes. It said all other activities must be consistent with ambitious environmental bottom lines for wetlands.

ACT said it supports ensuring the rules around wetland work are practical and don't create unnecessary barriers for people genuinely trying to restore or maintain wetland habitat. It said good consenting frameworks should make it easy to do the right thing, and that it supports permitted activity pathways allowing legitimate work to proceed without excessive compliance costs.

New Zealand First said it believes in slashing red tape and regulatory blocks that hinder environmental and infrastructure improvements, and that its goal is to ensure the planning system is responsive to environmental initiatives and not unnecessarily restricted by bureaucracy. 

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QUESTION 9: FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR WETLAND RESTORATION AND CREATION

What funding and/or support would your party provide for wetland restoration and creation programmes, including those delivered through Fish & Game and hunter-landowner partnerships?

 

National said International Visitor Levy funding would be available for conservation projects supporting wetland restoration and creation, and that charges for parts of the DOC estate for international tourists create revenue DOC can use for conservation values. It said modernising Fish & Game through its reforms would free up more licence holder fees for wetland restoration, and that encouraging more fishing activity would generate more regional economic growth to reinvest in wetlands and fish habitats.

Labour said it supports restoration efforts and the partnerships that deliver them, including those involving Fish & Game and landowners, and that specific funding decisions would be made in government.

The Green Party said it is committed to increasing dedicated funding for wetland restoration, including recognising restoration on privately owned land.

ACT referred to its answer to Question 7, reiterating its support for voluntary nature markets that allow private money to fund projects such as wetland restoration.

New Zealand First said it provides support through initiatives like Jobs for Nature and by establishing the Regional Infrastructure Fund with $1.2 billion in capital for regional projects of significance. It said it also supports new initiatives for community groups, iwi and conservation groups to participate directly in conservation projects.

 

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SPORTS FISH AND GAME MANAGEMENT PLANS

 

QUESTION 10: HAVING REGARD TO SPORTS FISH AND GAME MANAGEMENT PLANS

What is your party's position on having regard to Sports Fish and Game Management Plans in plan-making and consenting decisions under resource management legislation?

 

National said the RMA reform legislation did not contain specific provisions to have regard to Sports Fish and Game Management Plans.

Labour said it sees value in these statutory  plans being recognised in the planning system and would want to see how that could best be achieved as the resource management system develops.

The Green Party said it supports the statutory requirement for authorities to have regard to Sports Fish and Game Management Plans, as part of robust, inclusive decision-making on freshwater resources.

ACT is committed to ensuring a resource management system based on property rights that delivers real environmental outcomes. (ACT gave this single answer to cover Questions 10, 11 and 12.)

New Zealand First said it supports a planning system responsive to local needs, and supports retaining and strenghtening the requirements for authorities to "have regard to" SSports Fish and Game Management Plans, noting these are statutory documents representing the science-based approach of a body representing 175,000 licence holders. With RMA reforms underway, it said it would support explicit reference to these plans in national direction, and a duty on councils and consent authorities to demonstrate how they have considered them.   

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QUESTION 11: CONSULTING FISH & GAME ON POLICY, STANDARDS AND FRAMEWORKS

What is your party's position on consulting Fish & Game in the preparation of policy, standards and frameworks that may affect the habitat of trout, salmon and game birds?

 

National said it supports engagement with all relevant stakeholders on changes that may affect sports fish and game bird habitats, including Fish & Game as the statutory manager. it noted that, as Fish & Game is an independent entity at arm's length from Government, the initial preparation of policy remains at the discretion of the relevant agency, and said that as Minister of Hunting and Fishing it works closely with Fish & Game on policy relevant to their operations and licence holders. 

Labour said it believes it is important to consult Fish & Game where policy or standards may affect the habitats of trout, salmon and game birds. 

The Green Party said it supports consultation with Fish & Game in the development of policy that could impact sports fish and game birds or their habitats. 

See ACT's answer to Question 10.

New Zealand First said it is committed to wide public and stakeholder consultation, and that its policy is to take account of key stakeholders when making environmental policy to ensure a balanced and pragmatic outcome.

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QUESTION 12: FISH & GAME'S STATUS AS AN AFFECTED PARTY

What is your party's position on Fish & Game New Zealand's status as an affected party in resource management plan-making and resource consent processes?

 

National the RMA reform legislation as introduced did not specifically list Fish & Game as an affected party. National said it supports Fish & Game having input into plan-making when it directly impacts game bird and freshwater fish habitats.

Labour said it recognises Fish & Game's role in these processes and the value of its input.

The Green Party said it supports Fish & Game being recognised as an affected party when the RMA determines a  a specific proposal has adverse effects on a fish and game resource that are more than "minor."

See ACT's answer to Question 10.

New Zealand First said that while it aims to reduce excessive time and costs by consolidating duplicate submissions, it recognises the planning process must allow for adequate representation by community organisations to ensure all affected parties are heard. 

 

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WATER CONSERVATION ORDERS

QUESTION 13: RETAINING WATER CONSERVATION ORDERS AND THE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING NEW ONES

Will your party retain Water Conservation Orders and ensure they are complied with, and what is your position on the process for establishing new ones? Refer note 

 

National said the RMA reforms as introduced would retain Water Conservation Orders and clarify that Regional Councils are responsible for monitoring them, with new WCOs able to be created subject to the scope set in the Natural Environment Bill. It said the Bills retain recently strengthened compliance and enforcement provisions, including increased fines, improved cost recovery to fund monitoring, and simplified enforcement tools. On new WCOs, National said the process is set out in schedule 4 of the Natural Environment Bill: a person applies to the Minister; the Minister either appoints a special tribunal or rejects the application; the tribunal considers it, receives public submissions and gives notice of its decision; that decision can be appealed to the Environment Court on points of law; and if the tribunal recommends the WCO, the Minister can reject it (with reasons) or recommend it by Order in Council. It said it supports this as introduced but awaits the Environment Select Committee's reports.

Labour said it values Water Conservation Orders as an important protection for the country's most outstanding water bodies, and that it supports retaining them as an important protection tool.

The Green Party answered yes, saying it strongly supports the retention, enforcement and active management of Water Conservation Orders. It said it is committed to a resource management system where local planning regimes are consistent with WCO protections, and where there is clarity over who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing them. on new WCO's, it said it supports a transparent, evidence-based and participatory process, and would support requiring recommendations to be processed in a timely manner. 

ACT said existing Water Conservation Orders are being preserved in the new resource management legislation. It said it also acknowledges primary sector concerns that WCOs can impose significant restrictions on irrigation, water storage, farming, horticulture, rural infrastructure and food production, and that WCOs should not be used as a blunt tool to lock up water without regard to costs, trade-offs, existing lawful uses, property rights and regional economic impacts. ACT said it supports a more disciplined process for new WCOs, which should be evidence-based, targeted, proportionate and focused on genuinely outstanding values, with compliance achieved through clear legal effect, regional planning instruments, consent decisions and council monitoring.

 

New Zealand First said it supports the active management of rivers and flood protection, and by extension all extraordinary water bodies. It said while its primary focus is laws reflecting the interests of all water users, it remains dedicated to an evidence-based approach to protecting the country's most valued water bodies. On new WCOs, it said it supports a robust but accessible process, with the threshold of "outstanding" values remaining high but clearly defined and consistently applied, and timeframes that are reasonable and certain while ensuring proper scrutiny.

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FISH & GAME'S STATUTORY ROLE

QUESTION 16: FISH & GAME'S STATUTORY MANDATE

What is your party's position on Fish & Game's statutory mandate to manage sports fish and game birds in the interests of anglers and game bird hunters?

 

National said it supports Fish & Game's statutory mandate to manage sports fish and game birds. It said it would pass legislation to modernise Fish & Game New Zealand, with reforms to simplify administration, strengthen accountability to licence holders and ensure resources are directed to the regions, habitats and fisheries where they are most needed. National described this as creating a new Fish and Game Council Act to strengthen this mandate and the delivery of services to the hunting and fishing community.

Labour said it recognises Fish & Game's statutory role managing sports fish and game birds on behalf of licence holders.

The Green Party said it supports Fish & Game's statutory role, its democratic funding and governance model, and its independence in managing sports fish and game birds.

ACT said its commitment is to anglers and game bird hunters and to the traditions they value, and that it is open to looking at how that mandate is exercised and whether it remains fit for purpose.

New Zealand First said it supports pragmatic, common-sense decision-making and supports all statutory bodies' role in overseeing their respective game species, believing they are essential for successful resource management. It added that jurisdictional boundaries between DOC, councils and game councils such as NZ Fish & Game need to be made clearer.

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QUESTION 17: FISH & GAME'S FRESHWATER ADVOCACY ROLE

What is your party's position on Fish & Game's freshwater advocacy role?

 

National said it supports Fish & Game maintaining an advocacy role within sensible boundaries, and that as a statutory body its advocacy should be mindful of the policies of the Government of the day and aligned across the country. It said it would require Fish & Game to maintain national advocacy policies, encourage it to limit spending licence fee money on unnecessary litigation in favour of habitat work, and require notification and approval of intended legal action by the National Council or Minister as appropriate.

Labour said it recognises the value of the contribution Fish & Game makes to freshwater, including its advocacy, science and monitoring work.

The Green Party said it supports Fish & Game's stong advocacy role for healthy freshwater and wetland ecosystems, public access and sustainable recreational opportunities.

ACT said it values constructively working with Fish & Game to deliver good outcomes for anglers, hunters and the freshwater habitats they depend on.

New Zealand First said government and industry should work together to achieve better environmental outcomes, and that it values advocacy that is evidence-based and aimed at creating sustainable wealth through a healthy environment. It said it strongly supports Fish & Game's freshwater advocacy role, describing it as a practical expression of its own principle that wise governments view the preservation and enhancement of the environment as sound economics.

 

Note on format: for length, two pairs of closely related questions from the questionnaire have been combined. Q4 covers the recognition and protection of valued introduced species and their place in legislation defining ecosystem health (questionnaire Q4 and 5); Q13 covers the retention of Water Conservation Orders and establishing new ones (Q13 and 14).

 

Original questionnaires 

• National Party
• Labour Party
• The Green Party
• ACT
• New Zealand First