Both Barrels June 2026 - Auckland/Waikato

Next Generation Celebrating Hunting

A couple of the A/W team were fortunate to be invited back to Korakonui School last month to help judge their annual maimai-building competition. Students worked in teams to design, build, and camouflage a maimai using natural materials, with judging based on camouflage, functionality, teamwork, creativity, and tidiness. The day also included duck calling, "duck shooting" with Nerf guns, and a gamebird hunting quiz.

Image above: maimai competition finalists with their prizes

The team also visited Maihiihi School, where staff gave a presentation as part of the school's hunting and photography competition.

It is great to see hunting traditions being celebrated and passed on to the next generation in such fun, creative, and educational ways.

Hunter Feedback Points to an Outstanding Season.

Reports from across the region have been fairly consistent in their message that this season has been noteworthy. Duck numbers were high, and limits were not uncommon for some keen hunters late into the season.

We have received positive feedback from hunters regarding the six-week dabbling duck season. Many reported that the longer season improved their overall satisfaction, citing greater flexibility to fit hunting around work and family commitments, as well as more opportunities to introduce new hunters to the sport. Staff talked with a few hunters, who, despite not getting out for a shot during the extra two weeks, felt that it was positive and that the extra opportunity added value to their gamebird licence.

Gamebird harvest surveys are currently being conducted, which will allow us to test the hypothesis of whether the longer season meant people hunted more (and potentially in turn harvested more) or hunted about the same as during a four-week season but were able to be more flexible with other commitments.

Making the Most of your Licence in the Auckland/Waikato

Species	A/W Season Ends
Paradise shelduck	28 Jun 2026
Black swan (in special areas, see regulations)	28 Jun 2026
Pūkeko	30 Aug 2026
Bobwhite, California & Brown quail	30 Aug 2026
Cock pheasant	30 Aug 2026
Red-legged partridge	30 Aug 2026

While the dabbling duck season has come to a finale, there is still a truckload of hunting to be had in the Auckland Waikato.

Pheasant hunting can be done on Forestry blocks with a permit, which are available here: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/where-to-hunt/regional-info/aucklandwaikato/forests-permits/

There are also plenty of pukeko around, and we receive a lot of requests for permits outside the season for controlling pukeko, which are causing damage to crops, ripping up maize silage covers, killing ducklings and other juvenile birds. To help alleviate these issues, we have a liberal season length to help control their numbers and reduce their damage, whilst also providing more opportunity to hunters during the season.

Pukeko Recipe

If you’re not sure what to do with your pukeko, they can be great eating, with their breast having a less gamey taste than other waterfowl too.

Easy ways to cook their breasts are just slicing the breasts to make schnitzels, and coating them in an egg wash, and then breadcrumbs. Just be careful not to overcook them!

Or try out this recipe from our F&G wild food cookbook, to make some delicious pukeko burgers!

Photo Competition to Win Fish and Game Cookbooks

Got too many ducks you don’t know what to do with, and you’re looking for some new recipes to try? Send in your best pictures from your hunting in the Auckland/Waikato region this season and be in to win one of our award-winning wild food cookbooks mentioned above, we have a couple up for grabs!

We are always on the look out for great photos of people out there enjoying their hunting with their friends, family and dogs etc. We hope to use these photos to promote the awesome hunting we have on offer in our region!

How to enter: Email up to 3 photos to [email protected] before 31 July 2026 with your full name or gamebird licence number included. Please provide a caption, rough location, photographer's name and also names of people in the photo if you like.

Staff will randomly draw three winning photos from all valid entries received.

Entries close: 31 July 2026

T&C’s: Submission of photos is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions.

• All submitted photographs may be used by Auckland Waikato Fish and Game for promotional and social media purposes, including on Facebook, in our newsletters, or magazine articles.
• Photos must be from the 2026 season, and in the Auckland Waikato re
• Number of entries: 3 entries per person
• The photo winner will be announced on Facebook, and notified via the email