The Auckland/Waikato Angler Access Fund is a first-of-its-kind initiative with the sole purpose of improving fishing access for current and future generations.

Protecting Fishing Access. Forever.

Public access is one of New Zealand’s greatest outdoor traditions, but it cannot be taken for granted.

Access to rivers is becoming increasingly harder, as properties change ownership and long-standing access arrangements disappear.

Once access is lost, it can be incredibly difficult, and often impossible, to get back.

The Auckland/Waikato Angler Access Fund was created as a first-of-its-kind initiative to change that with one simple goal: To permanently secure public fishing access for current and future generations.

An angler on the Whakapapa River at the Stone Jug Road Angler Access point.

A smarter way to create permanent access

The greatest successes in creating new and enduring pubic access to waterways have been realised by using the following technique:

  1. “High value” riverfront properties, with no public access, are identified.
  2. The Angler Access Fund is used to purchase the land with valuable angler access.
  3. Easements and esplanade strips are added to the property title, ensuring public access in perpetuity.
  4. The property (now with enduring public access) is sold, and the money is returned to the Angler Access Fund.
  5. Repeat steps 1 to 4

To learn more, listen to David discuss the initiative with RNZ by selecting here

Marvin Daniel (left) holding Dougal McGregor’s (right) first ever trout caught on the Fish & Game Stone Jug Road Access property. Credit Fish & Game

The pilot is already delivering results

The Angler Access Fund was first used to purchase a riverfront property on Stone Jug Road, which has provided anglers with over 3 km of fishing on the treasured Whakapapa River.

This property was recently surveyed, which added esplanade strips and easements to the title, meaning that there will be public access through this property, even when it is sold on.

Before: there was no public access to the river from Stone Jug Road, as the road parcel (in purple) no longer reached the river.

After: Easements and esplanade strips now provide enduring public access to the river.

Where to next?

Now that public access has been secured, the property will be sold with the funds returned to the Angler Access Fund.

The bigger we can grow the Angler Access Fund, the greater the potential for securing high-quality access for anglers and all New Zealanders to our rivers and streams.

How to Contribute

Are you interested in making a one-time donation, a monthly donation or a bequest to secure the future of angling in the Auckland/Waikato Region?

Get in touch to donate or make a bequest

Likewise, if you become aware of properties for sale that would allow us to establish enduring angler access, we'd love to know!