Strong turnout for game bird season opening across New Zealand

Thousands of hunters gathered at wetlands and waterways around the country this weekend to mark the start of the 2025 game bird season.

"Opening Weekend brings together friends and family in a tradition that for many goes back generations," Jordan said.

"It's about connecting with our rural heritage, sustainable harvesting of kai, and enjoying the mental and physical benefits of getting out in nature with friends and family."

Many parts of the country experienced fine weather, though hunters prefer rain and wind as it keeps ducks on the move rather than settled on lakes and ponds.

“Some regions were impacted by recent flooding while others are still recovering from drought but, overall, most regions have had a good start to the season today.”

Jordan says compliance with hunting regulations was strong, with rangers out checking licences and making sure bag limits were being followed.

“The vast majority of our licence holders do the right thing. It’s a reflection of the conservation values held by hunters and their commitment to sustainability.

“Our hunters are among the most passionate conservationists out there. The wetlands that support game birds also provide crucial habitat for other species -- and hunters contribute directly to their protection through licence fees and habitat restoration efforts.”

Farmers are also playing a vital role in keeping the tradition alive.

"I also want to acknowledge and thank those farmers who generously open their farms to hunters and give people from urban and other areas the opportunity. Their support ensures the tradition of game bird hunting continues,” says Jordan.

"There's nothing quite like getting out in the wild, giving the kids a great activity away from technology, and for everyone to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and good company while also harvesting kai for the dinner table.”

Caption: Jeremy, Eva, Aila, Kairyn & Simon Pooley having a great family adventure out in the Nelson-Marlborough region.

 

Regional Wrap:

Northland – Craig Deal

Conditions were excellent for hunters in Northland, the sun was out, and a steady Southerly kept birds moving.

Hunters got good bags of paradise duck around new pasture, while mallard and grey were fewer. These were dispersed across the region due to recent floods creating more areas of water for birds to settle in.

Over the morning, the team spoke to about 20 people and compliance was high though two people were found to be using lead shot when they shouldn’t.

 

Auckland-Waikato – David Klee

Teams out in Auckland-Waikato enjoyed a bright and sunny clear morning.

Hunters had mixed success with some reaching their bag limits by 9.30am while others continued.

“People are generally happy and following the rules. It was awesome to visit maimais where three generations were hunting together. We saw lots of families and children out hunting so the future is in great hands.”

There were a few incidents related to pond feeding – that’s putting food out for ducks coming up to season which means some hunters can monopolise the ducks.

 

Hawke’s Bay – Kerry Meehan

The Hawke’s Bay had an excellent Opening Morning. The weather was kind to hunters with overcast conditions and just the right amount of wind around.

Three ranging teams were out around the Bay with Police and overall compliance was very good with only a couple of issues.

The response has been to rangers has been positive overall with over 20 groups being visited so far and plenty more to see this afternoon and a good number of ducks being harvested.

 

Eastern – Arash Alaeinia

Hunters in the Bay of Plenty had mixed success, with those hunting later in the morning doing better. Strong winds kept ducks away on the East Coast.

In general hunters followed the rules but there were a few issues people using lead.

 

Lower North Island – Hamish Carnachan and Allen Stancliff

Rangers in the Wairarapa said the day started with excellent duck hunting conditions but calmed towards midday. There were a lot of hunters out and they followed the rules.

Everyone had a successful day bagging birds and there were many families out enjoying the morning.

In the Manawatū, still weather made hunting challenging and Taranaki also had a calm and fine day.

Rangers found hunters were following the rules.

Ranging in the Waitotara Waverley hunters were achieving moderate bags of mallards and paradise ducks but plenty of hunting was continuing on the bigger lakes. 

 

Nelson-Marlborough – Lawson Davey

The teams in Nelson-Marlborough were struck by how many people were out hunting – more than in recent years.

Sunny and clear conditions didn’t put a damper on the day for everyone out enjoying the day. Most people had a successful day with some reaching their bag limits by mid-morning.

Rangers spoke to about 40 hunters and said compliance was excellent.

“It’s not just about the hunting, it’s the social aspect. People have just had a really great day out in nature together.”

 

West Coast – Baylee Kersten

On the West Coast, hunters experienced a light frost, blue skies and not a breath of wind.

Despite the weather favouring the ducks, hunters did well, especially those hunters that did pre-season preparation.

“We really appreciated the positive interactions with hunters on opening morning. Their focus on firearm safety and respectful conduct meant our ranging activities were both safe and enjoyable. While the calm, clear weather made the ducks a bit more cautious, it created excellent conditions to introduce young hunters to the tradition of opening weekend.”

 

North Canterbury – Matthew Garrick

Teams across the region spoke to about 60 hunters over the morning.

Spirits were high but fine weather and recent flooding meant mallards were dispersed across ponds and puddles and not taking to the air.

However, while mallards were challenging to hunt many hunters took the opportunity to hunt paradise ducks instead.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with great compliance across the regions with only a couple issues relating to lead shot or not having a licence.”

 

Central South Island – Rhys Adams

The Central South Island had a beautiful morning. Ranging teams spoke to about 45 hunters in the morning with teams out in North Otago, South of Oamaru and one in the Ashburton District. There were a handful of people caught either with lead shoot or without a licence.

Most people seem to have bagged up to five birds in the challenging calm conditions though everyone was having a great time.

“We’ve been having a blast and really good chats, it’s been going great. We’ve seen lots of dads taking children out showing the tradition is being passed on to the next generation.”

 

Otago - Bruce Quirey

Two Otago hunters in the lower Clutha Valley had shot 40 mallards between them before midday on their best Opening Day ever.

Fish & Game officers in Otago had checked a total of 67 hunters by midday, including 12 junior hunters.

Around Ida Valley and Manuherekia, there were blue, clear conditions with no wind and hunters were getting mixed bags of mallard, shoveler and paradise shelducks.

Around Kyeburn, the hunting was a bit quieter but it was great to see farmers sharing the maimais with visiting friends and family.

Near Clydevale, where conditions were overcast with patchy rain, it was a tale of two riversides.

On one side only 20 percent of the ponds checked were being hunted, despite good numbers of ducks.

Over the river, most maimais near Clydevale had harvest about 15 mallards and two or three paradise shelduck.

There were three issues with people hunting without a licence and Fish & Game officers also issued verbal warnings for three juniors using lead.

 

Southland - Cohen Stewart

Down in Southland, the weather was perfect for duck hunting, there was good wind and even some rain particularly around the coast and Gore.

Success rates were highly variable with Balfour being the outstanding area for the day while those in Lumsden and around Invercargill reporting less success. Those in Wyndham and Mataura achieved typical bag numbers.

Rangers spoke to about 75 hunters over the morning and reflected that hunters who put in effort and incorporated movement into their decoy spread did much better than others.

“It has been great to see friends and family out together, enjoying the fantastic game bird resource we have in Southland.

“Opening weekend is as much about the experience and camaraderie as it is about the hunting.”