Both Barrels May 2025 - Northland

Opening weekend summary 

We had a very dry summer in the North and had the 9th drought declared in 20 years. However cyclone Tam and the subsequent humid air flow dropped considerable rainfall in April. Over 400mm in some areas. This was fortunate with most wetlands recharging and reasonable flooding in the low-lying parts of the region. Whilst the rainfall was welcome, extensive flooding in some of the harder hit catchments meant that hunters were unable to get to their maimai and had to come up with a plan B at short notice.

Northland rainfall for April (credit Northland Regional Council)

A Southerly change over opening weekend brought clear skies. A reasonable breeze on Saturday stirred up the ducks on the Kaipara Harbour. Sunday was fine, calm and clear. Night-time temperatures hovered around 14-15 degrees and daytime temperatures touched 20 degrees.

Flooding in the Manganui River valley on opening day

Many pond hunters found it tough with the birds having dispersed into the new flood water. The hunters who adapted their hunting style to the floodwater conditions over the weekend prospered. Setting up on the edge of flood water proved successful. Shelducks and mallards were seen in good numbers. Results From Opening Weekend Hunter Survey showed many limiting for mallards. After three weeks of rain and floodwater conditions many of the ducks are in great condition for this early in the season, having fattened up on invertebrates in the flood water margins.

Opening weekend compliance summary 

Northland rangers accompanied by police checked around 40 hunters over opening weekend. We utilised the Fish and Game vessel and patrolled up the Northern Wairoa River as well as having ground based teams spread through the North.  Two offences for lead shot were detected and are now being dealt with through the Fish and Game Prosecutions system.

Northland Fish and Game Wetlands

Casual wetland permits are now available for Fish and Game wetlands. 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

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.

Regulation Changes

The paradise shelduck daily bag limit is now 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 regular hunters bag. 

Bag limits:

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

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. Swan and pukeko can also be hunted during this time. The same bag limits apply during this special season.

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), have your game bird licence number ready if calling. 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!