Fish & Game own the Waewaetutuki wetland located in the Paengaroa area which has two maimai.

Fish & Game own the Waewaetutuki wetland located in the Paengaroa area which has two maimai. The Council has decided to offer the wetland to novices only during weekends of the 2026 season to provide inexperienced hunters entering the sport, an easily accessible, safe environment which affords opportunity to hunt waterfowl.

As part of the promotion, the maimai within this wetland will be fully scrubbed up, and supporting information provided to randomly selected applicants. In addition to this, hunters must adhere to the below conditions;

Conditions;

  1. Novice participants must obtain a 2026 Game Bird hunting licence  
  2. The successful stated novice hunter is the only hunter authorised to shoot within the designated stand. Supervisors or mentors are encouraged, but not authorised to hunt.
  3. The only available weekends are 9-10 May, 16-17 May, 23-24 May, 30 May -1 June - 2026. Weekends will be allocated and are non transferable.
  4. The hours of hunting are from 6.15am until 6.15pm, on both Saturday and Sunday of all weekends (and Monday of Kings Birthday weekend).
  5. Novice hunters (and their supervisor / mentor) must provide their own equipment (e.g. shotgun, ammunition and decoys etc.). Waders are also necessary to access the maimai.
  6. All shot cases must be collected and all rubbish removed from the maimai and wetland site.
  7. A weekend hunt return (diary) must be filled in and returned to Fish & Game.

To be eligible to apply as a novice hunter you must provide the application information in the below link. Closure date for applicants is Wednesday 24th April.

Eligibility;

  • Not have had any game bird related offences under the Wildlife Act 1953
  • Have a current NZ Firearms Licence  (unless we are provided details of the NZ Firearms Licenced supervisor attending your hunt).
  • Reside within the boundaries of the Eastern Region of Fish & Game
  • *** most importantly – upon application, provide a brief written summary of your experience with guns and hunting – and your specific history related to waterfowl hunting (i.e. previous hunting locations, success with whom etc.).

Any queries contact Fish & Game Officer John Meikle at the Eastern Office 07 357 5501

Application for Novice Hunt