Fish & Game responds to proposals

Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager has today released proposals to modernise and strengthen Fish & Game’s structure and operations.

The proposals aim to increase Fish & Game's effectiveness as a regulator whilst providing efficiencies and reducing administrative burdens at the regional level.

Fish & Game currently operates under the Conservation and Wildlife Acts as a statutory organisation funded entirely through hunting and fishing licence fees.

Key changes include:

• A new Fish & Game Act to set the organisations powers and functions
• changing licence collection and revenue distribution which will be administered by the New Zealand Fish & Game Council
• implementing a funding allocation model based primarily on licence holder activity
• establishing binding national policies for core regulatory functions, including setting a binding advocacy strategy for the organisation

"We're committed to working constructively through this change process," said Acting Chief Executive Richie Cosgrove.

"Fish & Game serves New Zealand's 200,000 hunters and anglers so they can get out in nature and do what they love. We work to protect the freshwater habitats that are so vital to both introduced and native species."

"Our vision remains unchanged - healthy freshwater habitats and species, thriving hunting and fishing traditions, and the opportunity for all Kiwis to enjoy access to sustainable wild fish and game resources," Cosgrove said.

"We will support Fish & Game staff and managers, our councillors, government agencies, the Minister, and all stakeholders to work through these changes with the goal of serving the best interests of hunters, anglers, and the habitats that support our valued introduced species."

The proposals will clarify roles and responsibilities between the National Council and the 12 regional councils, implement good governance practices, and strengthen the user-pays, user-says system that underpins Fish & Game's democratic structure.

Under the proposals, regional Fish & Game Councils would retain their decision-making authority over local species and habitat management, including preparation of Anglers and Game Notices covering seasons, bag limits and fishing and hunting conditions.

Any questions about the process and next steps should be directed to the Minister’s Office.