Both Barrels July 2026 - Nelson Marlborough

Wairau Lagoons Management Hunt Delivers

Sunday’s Marlborough Wairau Lagoons management hunt exceeded expectations and was a winner in the eyes of those who attended.  Over 100 hunters from Marlborough and Tasman joined the hunt, many attending the BBQ and briefing the night before at Marlborough Hunting & Fishing, our sponsor for this event.   Beyond bringing hunters together socially to celebrate the end of the gamebird season, the day provided an excellent recreational opportunity for locals and newcomers alike, introducing several participants to the lagoons for the very first time. The event also served as a wildlife management effort to reduce swan and goose populations, which have surged recently and are heavily impacting surrounding farming operations.

Hunters were pre-assigned specific hunting areas to ensure everyone was in position before dawn, and it didn't take long for the action to start. Around 9:00 AM, a favourable southerly wind kicked in, getting the birds on the move. 

The final harvest reflected the event's massive success, with hunters harvesting over 600 swans, 130 geese, and 100 ducks. Thanks to a fantastic turnout and great conditions, the day proved to be a good balance of recreation with a much-needed population management effort.

Huge thanks to Nelson Marlborough Councillors Nev Gane, Guy Gardiner, and Wayne McDonald, who assisted with organising the hunt, and to Fraser and Nev at Marlborough Hunting & Fishing for their sponsorship and hosting the BBQ/briefing.

Photo above: Gray Newcombe. Caption: Gray Newcombe with a few birds from his morning hunting with father, Mark Newcombe. Photo: Mark Newcombe.

Scott Barnes with his first duck from the lagoons hunt. Photo: Stuart Barnes

That's a Wrap at Rabbit Island

Saturday marked the third and final Rabbit Island upland game hunt for the year, wrapping up what has been one of the more successful seasons since 2017, when we first commenced holding this event.  A noticeable increase in the local bird population this year translated to more pheasant sightings and an improved harvest. We’d like to thank everyone who participated in and supported the events. It is a significant milestone, as this season marks exactly 10 years since these organised hunts first began on the island.  We will reassess future hunts here as our available hunting area at this end of the island will be reduced as trees grow and become too high to hunt, but we will do our best to work with TDC and the forestry manager, PF Olsen, to see that some facilitated hunting can occur here for the next decade. 

Kieran Scott with a Rabbit Island rooster taken on a recent hunt. 

Bird Flu Update

Bird flu (H5N1) confirmed in New Zealand for the first time.

MPI has confirmed a detection of H5N1 bird flu in a Brown Skua at Petone. Fish & Game is working with MPI and DOC on the national response.

At this time, there’s no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife, transmission, or between wild birds in NZ. Also, no detection in poultry

What hunters need to know:

• Game bird hunting can continue
• Don't touch sick or dead birds that your hunting party haven’t shot. Watch your dogs and children don’t touch the birds
• Clean gear between every outing
• Wash and dry your hands after handling birds
• Three or more sick or dead birds? Call 0800 80 99 66 immediately

We'll keep you updated as things develop.

More info: fishandgame.org.nz | mpi.govt.nz/HPAI