Important Update: Minister Announces Fish & Game reforms
- 17/06/2025
Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager has today announced significant reforms aimed to modernise and strengthen Fish & Game New Zealand. He wanted Fish & Game to share this with you.
Watch Minister Meager explain the reforms and read his media release here.
The Minister says these changes will improve the national management of hunting and fishing resources while maintaining local control over your regional fishing and hunting rules.
"I want to make it as easy as possible for Kiwis to go hunting and fishing in New Zealand," James Meager said. "This long overdue reform will refocus Fish & Game on its core job of managing our sport fishing and game bird resources."
The Minister highlighted that licence holders spend up to $138 million on fishing annually, and our hunting and fishing resources draw tourists from around the globe.
"It is important to our economy that Fish & Game is a well-functioning, highly effective and efficient organisation," he said.
Previous reviews have identified long-standing issues which the Minister said must be addressed.
The reforms include:
- A new standalone Fish & Game Act
- Nationalised licence fee collection through the New Zealand Council
- Clearer roles between national and regional councils, with regions focusing on delivering hunting and fishing opportunities on the ground
- Expanded voting eligibility for licence holders
- Binding national advocacy policies with restricted court proceedings
- Requirements to better consider interests of other stakeholders like farmers and aviation
Our response
Fish & Game is committed to working constructively through this change process. 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.
Importantly, your regional Fish & Game Council will retain decision-making authority over local species and habitat management, including setting seasons, bag limits, and fishing and hunting conditions through Anglers and Game Notices.
What this means for you
The Minister wants his reforms to deliver benefits for licence holders:
- Better value for money - You'll get improved hunting and fishing experiences and opportunities, with efficiency savings from reduced duplication
- Greater representation - More licence holders will be eligible to vote and stand in Fish & Game elections (including partners of family licence holders), giving you better representation in decision-making
- More focused service - Regional councils can concentrate on what matters most to you: improving hunting and fishing opportunities in your area
- Professional standards - A more credible, efficient organisation that complies with modern governance standards
- Improved transparency - You'll have clearer information on how your licence fees are spent and what's being achieved for your benefit
How you buy your licence won't change - you'll still purchase online, by phone, at our offices, or through regional agents.
More information
Read the full fact sheet
We'll keep you updated as the legislation progresses through Parliament later this year.
Tight lines and good hunting,