Fish & Game welcomes National pledge on wetlands

Fish & Game New Zealand has welcomed National's commitment to permanently double funding for the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, saying it is good news for wetlands and the anglers and hunters who depend on them.

The party announced today it would lift the Trust's baseline government funding from $4.2 million to $8.5 million annually if re-elected, with the increase to be confirmed in Budget 2027.

Fish & Game Chief Executive Corina Jordan said the QEII Trust's voluntary covenant model had a strong track record, particularly in protecting wetlands on private land.

"The QEII Trust has been quietly protecting some of our most important wetlands for decades, and that work directly benefits game bird habitat," Jordan said.

"Funding uncertainty has held the Trust back in recent years, so a permanent increase would be a meaningful step forward.

"New Zealand has lost around 90 per cent of its original wetlands. Hunters have invested millions through the Game Bird Habitat Trust to help reverse that, and partnerships with landowners through covenants like those QEII enables are a key part of the solution."

Fish & Game has called on all parties to commit to strong wetland protection as part of its Manifesto 2026, including making it easier and more cost-effective for landowners to restore and create wetlands.