Hunting News & Events
Counters brave the cold as annual shoveler survey spans the country
There are easier ways to spend a freezing August morning than counting ducks through a spotting scope, but Fish & Game teams around the country did just that as they…
- 6/08/2026
- Maggie Tait
Hawke's Bay Junior Driven Pheasant Hunt
All Hawke's Bay Junior Game Bird Licence holders have an amazing opportunity to enter the draw to win one of nine places at this exclusive driven pheasant hunt kindly sponsored…
- Hawke's Bay
- 19/06/2026
- Hawkes Bay
Young duck caller makes his mark on opening weekend
Eleven-year-old Mason Parish will remember his opening weekend of the game bird season for a long time.
- Hunting
- Otago
- 8/06/2026
Hunt Ready Shooting Simulator
Hawke's Bay new Hunt Ready Simulator is a state-of-the-art shooting simulator designed to build confidence, skills and safe shooting habits in controlled indoor environment.
- Hawke's Bay
- 7/05/2026
- Hawkes Bay
Fine weather, fun with family, and a few birds in the bag for opening weekend
Thousands of hunters across New Zealand marked the start of the 2026 game bird season this morning, with Opening Day bringing families and friends together at wetlands and waterways from…
- 2/05/2026
- Maggie Tait
Hunters gear up for game bird season as wet conditions set the stage
Well before dawn this Saturday morning, alarms will go off in tens of thousands of homes around the country as hunters kick off another game bird season.
- Hunting
- hunting; Opening
- 29/04/2026
- Maggie Tait
New maimai removes barriers for mobility-impaired hunters
For Pip Martin, a T12 paraplegic and 40-year duck-hunting veteran, the upcoming game bird season isn't just about shooting — it’s about the "magic" of being back outdoors with family.
- Hunting
- Otago
- 9/04/2026
South Island season survey shows game bird hunting remains popular
Hunters across the South Island spent more than 49,000 days in the field during the 2025 game bird season, according to Fish & Game’s latest Hunter Harvest Report.
- 8/04/2026
- Maggie Tait
Newsletter March 2026
Welcome to this month's Fish & Game update, where we are getting ready for game bird season and also preparing for the upcoming General Election to ensure your community is…
- 30/03/2026
Game bird hunters urged to act early as Mark-up Day falls ahead of schedule
Game bird hunters around the country are being urged to purchase their 2026 licences now, with Mark-up Day falling earlier than usual this season and licences on sale from today.
- 12/03/2026
- Maggie Tait