Donations, Legacies & Collaborative Projects

Southland Fish & Game have projects and ideas that are not feasible with our current level of funding.

These are not the must haves which maintain the status quo. These are the nice to haves - the valued-added endeavours which would truly benefit and enhance the habitats of our treasured sportfish and gamebirds, and the angling and hunting experience.

It’s currently Catch-22 – we’re unable to consider projects without funding but neither can raise funds without the projects.

Anglers and hunters share our values and ethos, and so some might like to partner with us by providing the resourcing to enable specific projects.

This could be made through a donation, a legacy or a unique collaborative arrangement. Legacies can be made in your will, conferring certain asset(s) to the Southland Fish & Game Council.

A project that has meaningful outcomes to both the donor and Fish & Game will be settled upon, and staff will report back to the donor/surviving family members with measurable results.

The following project areas may offer some guidance or ideas.

• Holistic Riverine Management - Enabling Fish & Game to intervene to address the specific needs of a waterway, or a particular section of the waterway. It could involve the management of densely grown willows, gorse encroachment on the banks, further fencing set back, better connection between the river and its floodplain, or improving the native vegetation on the river margin etc.
• Wetland Construction/Enhancement – Wetlands provide huge benefits as habitat and improve the downstream water quality by capturing sediment and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Southland has lost 90% of its wetlands.
• Public Access – Long-term protection (eq QEII Covenants) and/or the outright purchasing of high value pieces of land for public benefit.
• Youth – Recruitment and training of young anglers and hunters.
• Catchment or Fishery specific – Donations can be pegged to your favoured catchment/fishery.
• Research – Fish & Game has a long history of commissioning and participating in research that underpins our decision making.
• Other?  Bring your ideas forward!

Donations not earmarked or conditioned, will be allocated through the considered opinion of staff or voted on by the elected councilors (for larger amounts).

Southland staff would welcome the opportunity to discuss and collaborate on local projects. Donations of all levels will be gratefully considered.

To discuss it further, please contact Southland Field Officer Ben Febery at [email protected] or on 03 215 9117

Alternatively, donations to the work of Fish & Game nationally can be made here - https://donations.fishandgame.org.nz/

Southlands largest spring is safeguarded in a QEII Covenant

Both angler and the sighted trout are utilising the remnant carex secta as cover. Note the sizeable riparian margins and new fencing.

Bill and Beth Gordon have kindly allowed anglers to fish the Brighwater Spring which flows on their private title for many years.

In 2024, they generously signed the Brightwater Spring and a wide riparian margin into a QEII National Trust Covenant.

This covenant protects the spring from commercial development and allows for angler access during the fishing season in perpetuity. The sizeable setbacks will give vegetation room to flourish and will act as a filter for run off.

With time, the banks will stabilise and the Spring will develop greater natural character. With greater cover and more varied habitat, we expect the abundance of fish, both native and sporting, to grow.

Without funds available for this project, Southland Fish & Game would not have been in a position to work so closely with the Gordons, largely pay for the fencing and take on the ongoing costs associated with maintaining access and weed control, both aquatic and terrestrial.

The Gordons are to be commended for their generosity and foresight, and Southland Fish & Game thank them for their partnership.

A QEII Covenant is an effective avenue for protecting biodiversity on private title in perpetuity, and we would welcome discussions about other special sites.

Local guides paying it forward

Southland Fish & Game acted as the intermediary when two local guides funded fishing equipment for a Southland youth centre.

They offer free health and social services, and it is hoped that the fishing gear will be another tool in the workers kete, and that the rangitahi will personally experience the multiple benefits of fishing.

We believe in the transformative power of fly fishing as a tool for connection, confidence, and mental well-being.

By donating fishing gear to youth workers, we aim to empower them to share this skill with young people, providing a meaningful way to engage with nature, build resilience, and foster positive relationships.

It's our way of giving back and supporting the next generation through outdoor experiences.

Daryl Paskell & Kristina Placko

Southland Fish & Game’s own, Cohen Stewart, recently co-authored a paper on the impact of trout fishing on well-being.

He concludes “trout fishing seems to contribute to all elements of well-being within the Te Whare Tapa Whā model - mental, physical, spiritual, and social.

Trout fishing promoted feelings of happiness, helping people to connect with self, others, nature and place, and to disconnect from stressors. It also provided exercise and an opportunity to think simply and focus.

As such, trout fishing may hold great potential as an activity that improves the well-being of participants, and we look forward to conducting further work in this area.” 

To read the full study, click here.

Lake Monowai boaties, we heard your grumbling - and got it done.

Public infrastructure isn’t usually our remit, but when we saw a clear gap, we took the initiative. During the 2024/25 fishing season, Southland Fish & Game built a three-tiered jetty and upgraded the boat ramp at Lake Monowai, Fiordland.

For years, anglers of Lake Monowai have contended with a deteriorating boat ramp and no jetty—making it difficult and sometimes unsafe to launch or retrieve boats. In response, Southland Fish & Game stepped up with a practical, no-nonsense approach to deliver the infrastructure the lake community needed.

The new three-tiered jetty offers safe mooring and a stable, dry platform for boarding and loading at all lake levels, while the upgraded boat ramp improves access and usability. This marks a major step forward for Southland's fourth most fished lake, which sees more than 3,300 angler days annually.

We worked with the various stakeholders and thanks to major contributions from Pioneer Energy Ltd, Hapai Hapori Community Matters, Aotearoa Gaming Trust and members of the community, discounted materials from generous suppliers including EH Ball ITM, Stuart Timber, Anzor Fasteners and McGregor Concrete, and local contractors doing the mahi below market rates— we were able to see the project through in a timely and practical manner.

This is what happens when a practical idea meets a motivated community. We saw the need, made a plan, and delivered—together.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

For more information, see  https://southlandapp.nz/NewsStory/new-lake-monowai-jetty-boat-ramp-thanks-to-community-support/67d34c4a6927d3002ed31f3f