Fish and Game Councils

The New Zealand Fish & Game Council was established under the Conservation Act 1987 to represent nationally the interests of anglers and hunters and to coordinate the management, enhancement and maintenance of sports fish and game. ¹³²⁰

It has a broad function to "advocate generally and in any statutory planning process the interests of the New Zealand Fish and Game Council and, with it agreement, of any Fish and Game Council in the management of sports fish and game, and habitats". ¹³²¹  

The Fish and Game Council can therefore become a party to proceedings under the Resource Management Act through lodging submissions or appeals to protect fish and game and their habitats. The Council can also apply for water conservation orders and undertakes research into fish and game and their habitats.

Fish and Game Councils manage, mantain and enhance sports fish and game birds in the recreational interests of anglers and hunters for each region.There are 12 regional Fish and Game Councils ¹³²²  which are elected from licence holders. These Councils manage the sports fish and game resource at a regional level by setting licence fees and regulations. They are involved in issuing licences to take sports fish and game, advocacy to protect sports fish and game habitat, wetland management, hatchery and breeding programmes, compliance, enforcement, monitoring and education. ¹³²³

The activities of the Fish and Game Councils are funded mainly through the sale of licences.

For more information: www.fishandgame.org.nz

Last updated at 8:57AM on January 22, 2025