Important changes in conservation laws

The New Zealand Government is consulting on two proposals that will change how conservation land is managed across the country.

Parliament needs to hear from you about the Conservation Amendment Bill before Monday 13 July 2026.

The Conservation Amendment Bill and National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS) proposals have far-reaching implications for freshwater angling and game bird hunting in New Zealand.

The proposals represent the biggest changes to conservation planning in New Zealand in many years and Fish & Game will be seeking changes to better recognise the value of freshwater fishing and game bird hunting and valued introduced species.

Submissions are now open and Fish & Game is actively encouraging anglers and hunters to make their own submissions before the closing dates.

Critical stage

This Bill is now at a critical stage. With major provisions already amended, the remaining content will determine how fishing, game bird hunting, and public access are recognised in conservation decision-making.

A new planning system

The reforms create a simpler, national planning system.

The reforms will replace multiple conservation policy documents with a new National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS), and Area Plans will replace Conservation Management Strategies and Management Plans. (Area plans must follow the NCPS and cover values, threats, and objectives such as species, habitats, and recreation.)

Table on page 6 of this consultation document NCPS consultation document

What's at stake

The Conservation Amendment Bill will determine:

Whether fishing and game bird hunting are recognised as priorities on public conservation land, or ranked below tourism and development
Whether trout, salmon and game birds count in the decisions that shape the places you fish and hunt
Whether your access to rivers, lakes and wetlands is protected and enhanced

What Fish & Game is asking for

Put fishing and hunting alongside conservation, not below tourism and development. Given angling alone is worth $130m to New Zealand and overall hunting is valued at over $400m, angling and game bird hunting should not be included with other recreational activities and instead have the same status as tourism.
Make sports fish and game birds count.The new National Policy Statement will list the values that guide every decision about conservation land. If trout, salmon and game birds are left off that list, decisions will be made without considering your fishing and hunting at all
No access charges for New Zealand anglers and hunters.Charging for access to public conservation land would undermine public access. Charges should only apply at high-use international visitor hotspots, with the money reinvested in habitat and access
No selling off exclusive hunting and fishing rights. Commercial deals on public conservation land must never lock the public out of the places you hunt and fish. Exclusive access already happens on private land and has no place on public land
Make gun dogs welcome on conservation land.Game bird hunting dogs support ethical hunting. With existing management plans being replaced, dog access must be clearly protected
Protect wetlands.New Zealand has already lost most of its wetlands. There should be no further loss of wetland on public conservation land, which is vital game bird habitat that hunters help fund and restore

What to say in submissions

Please include a request that the Committee amend the Bill to ensure fishing and game bird hunting values, and the species and habitats that support them, are properly recognised in the legislation.

Use your own words. This is important. If lots of submissions arrive with identical wording, the select committee treats them as a single form response. One submission written in your own words carries far more weight than a copied one. Pick the issues above that matter most to you and say why, in the way you'd say it.

Step 1. Draft your submission.
Choose the points that matter to your fishing or hunting and put them in your own words. Please include a request that the committee amend the Bill to recognise fishing and game bird hunting values and the species and habitats we care about. If you share photos to highlight the value of the land then do include those.

Step 2. Visit the Parliament website.
Go to the Conservation Amendment Bill submission page here.

Step 3. Submit your response.
Click "I am ready to make my submission". You can either upload your submission as a document or PDF or paste your text directly into the comment section.

Step 4. Share your submission with us (optional).
Please also email it to [email protected] if you're happy for us to share your messages and encourage others to do the same.