Both Barrels April 2025 - Northland

What to expect this season:

Northland has experienced yet another drought over the summer. The eighth one in 20 years. The land of extremes, from record high rainfall two years ago to record low rainfall. However it is not all bad news, the spring was kind to the birds and after the few previous wet years gamebird numbers remain strong.  Two heavy rainfall events in April have come just in time to recharge ponds and wetlands and the birds have become a lot more visible as they move around seeking water and food after a prolonged dry spell. Continued rain and surface water later in the season can also provide great opportunities for mid and late season hunting, so don’t hang up the decoys too early. Those hunters that read the conditions and scout for bird concentrations can find great hunting right through the season.

Image above: After a prolonged dry spell some recent rainfall has recharged the regions wetlands just in time for opening weekend

Regulation Changes and Compliance: 

The paradise shelduck daily bag limit has increased to 25 birds. The shelduck numbers in Northland remain robust and above historical averages.  Targeting this species is great for novices and beginners alike. They also add to the variety of the regulars hunters bag. 

The daily bag limit has been increased for the paradise shelduck. These obliging game birds make for excellent hunting right through the season when found in concentrations

A number of non-compliant hunters were detected last game season. This has costly consequences for the individual hunters and the organisation as a whole. Please ensure you are familiar with the current regulations and follow them accordingly. Rangers will be out throughout the season ensuring the regulations are being followed.

Bag limits:

Grey/mallard 12 birds per day
NZ shoveler 3 birds per day
Paradise shelducks 25 birds per day
Black Swan 20 birds per day
Pukeko 12 birds per day
California quail 10 birds per day
Brown quail 10 birds per day
Cock pheasant 5 birds per day

Season Lengths: 

Our season runs from opening weekend to 29 June 2025 for grey, mallard and shoveler ducks.

Paradise shelduck and swan can be hunted up until 27 July 2025

California quail, brown quail, cock pheasant and pukeko can be hunted out to 24 August 2025.

The paradise shelduck special season runs for nine days from 14 February 2026 until 22 February 2026. Black Swan and pukeko can also be hunted during this time. The same bag limits apply during this special season.

Take a Mate Hunting:

For only $5 2025 game bird licence holders can take a mate hunting who has not purchased a game bird licence before. Hunting for the “mate” will be permitted on opening weekend ONLY. The “mates licence” must be purchased through the Northland Fish and Game office in Whangarei. Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 4384135

Purchase a "Take a Mate Hunting" licence

The recipient of the mates licence must be accompanied by an adult whole season licence holder and it only applies within the Northland Fish and Game region. The mate must comply with the game bird hunting regulations.

Upland Game Hunting

Northland Fish and Game have negotiated access to thousands of hectares of production pine forests. These forests are spread throughout Northland and give the upland game hunter walking access to large areas of productive ground. The forestry companies provide maps that show age classes of the trees so areas can be selected where suitable habitat and food is available. Read the article in the Northland Regional Supplement to the 2025 Game Magazine for detailed tips on how to hunt the pine forests successfully. Contact the office to get your permit or click here.

For the hunter willing to beat the feet the forestry permits offer endless opportunity to pursue upland game

Northland Fish and Game Wetlands

Casual wetland permits are available after opening weekend. These permits give the hunter the opportunity to sample some hunting on the properties owned and managed by Northland Fish and Game. These include:

Bisset Wetland (Carruth Road)
Greenheart (Bob Taylor Road)
Underwood Wetland (Hoanga Road)
Kawakawa Wetland (Station Road)
Borrow Cut (Jordan Valley Road)
Flaxmill Wetland (Waihue Road)

Forestry and casual wetland permits are available by contacting the office by Email: [email protected], Phone: 09 4384135, or following the link below.

Permit Request Form

Please make yourself familiar with the 2025 regulation guide.

2025 Northland Hunting Regulation Guide

Duck bands

If you have shot a duck with a band please fill in the online form found at: https://fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/banding-form/ or call 0800 BIRD BAND (0800-247322). We don’t need the actual band so you can keep it for your lanyard, we just need to obtain a few details.

In conjunction with the Auckland/Waikato region we band birds at two sites on the Kaipara harbour. These are at Parakai and Wellsford. This data provides valuable information regarding the distribution, movement and survival rates of game birds within the region.

Hunter Surveys

During the season we conduct gamebird hunter surveys. The results form these surveys help us determine harvest rates and subsequent population changes. It is vital information for sustainable management of gamebird populations. If you purchase a game licence then you should expect a call from the team at some stage during the season. Even if you have not been out hunting it provides us with valuable data regarding resource use. This adds to our knowledge of gamebird distribution changes in the region. The surveys only take a few minutes to complete. We appreciate your continued cooperation with the surveys.

Happy hunting!