Newsletter September 2025

Dunedin angler Mike Wu and Otago Fish & Game officer Steve Dixon try the new access gate on the Taieri River at Allanton. Photo: Bruce Quirey, Otago Fish & Game

Anglers now have safer, year-round access to a popular fishing spot on the lower Taieri River thanks to cooperation between Otago Fish & Game and a local landowner.

Dunedin angler Mike Wu, who regularly fishes the area, says the newly installed gate at Allanton makes a big difference.

"The Taieri at Allanton is surprisingly close to Dunedin — just 10 minutes' drive — but still feels remote, with beautiful scenery," Mr Wu says. "This stretch has amazing structure: deep pools, runs, and willow-lined banks. I target brown trout here regularly, and even in winter, it fishes really well."

The access point at Allanton Saleyards Rd offers year-round opportunities to catch trout and perch, making it handy when many other fisheries are closed.

After finding the old access difficult due to an electric fence, Mr Wu contacted Otago Fish & Game to suggest improvement. Staff negotiated with the landowner and installed a new gate on private land next to the public access point, creating safer entry for anglers and the public.

"The new access makes it easier for everyone to enjoy this part of the river," Mr Wu says. "It's great for picnics, walks, or relaxing. This upgrade really benefits the whole community."

Fish & Game officer Steve Dixon says partnerships with landowners are essential for maintaining access to Otago's waterways. "This gate is a great example of how we work with landowners to secure access points," he says.

Otago Fish & Game manages around 260 fishing access points. For maps and information, visit our dedicated interactive access resource here. 

 

Successful 2025 Game Bird Season Draws To A Close

As game bird hunting seasons conclude across the country, early indications suggest the 2025 season has been another successful year for New Zealand's hunting community.

Survey results following the May Opening Weekend paint a positive picture, with hunters nationally reporting strong satisfaction with their experiences. On average, hunters ranked their Opening Weekend satisfaction at 4 out of 5, matching the high standards set during the 2024 season.

While not all regions reported a great season, more than 70 per cent of hunters reported feeling satisfied or very satisfied with their opening weekend experience. The estimated mallard harvest reached approximately 240,000 birds – representing a notable 15 per cent increase compared to the 2024 Opening Weekend harvest.

Fish & Game acting chief executive Richie Cosgrove said the season was about tradition.

"It’s a tradition spanning generations – bringing families together while connecting with our rural heritage and sustainably harvesting kai. It's also about the well-being benefits of spending time outdoors with mates and family.

"Hunters are amongst our most dedicated conservationists. These wetland habitats support not just game birds but many other species – and our licence holders directly fund their protection and restoration.

“The continued success relies on farmers who generously open their properties to hunters, ensuring many New Zealanders have access to hunting opportunities.

"Getting outdoors with family provides such a valuable break from screens and technology, while also putting quality kai on the table.

“Many regions have summer seasons in January and February/March, so we encourage people to check our website for details or scan the QR code on their licence."

 

Young Hunters Take Aim In Hawke’s Bay

Eight junior hunters enjoyed an exclusive pheasant hunt in the Hawke's Bay recently, thanks to a generous local farmer.

The experience - typically worth thousands - was supported by volunteer beaters, minders and coaches, with Dame Lynda Topp adding her trademark warmth and mentorship throughout the day.

Despite challenging cold conditions and wary end-of-season birds, the juniors successfully harvested pheasants and learned valuable lessons about patience and sportsmanship.

The day covered the full field-to-table journey, with participants learning to breast their birds and taking home meat for their families.

"Our juniors are the future of game bird hunting in New Zealand," said Hawke's Bay Fish & Game Chairman Bruce Bates. "Opportunities like this develop their skills while fostering respect for the sport, land and wildlife."

As one young hunter said while holding their bird: "It was hard work, but I learned so much - and I can't wait to do it again."

 

Fish & Game Reform

The Government is working on a Bill to reform Fish & Game. Once the Bill has been released, we will  ensure you have the opportunity to consider it and provide feedback.

As a statutory organisation, we remain committed to being an impartial source of information throughout this reform process, ensuring transparency whilst respecting the diverse perspectives. We have set up this webpage to keep you informed.

This will be an important opportunity for licence holders to have their say on the future direction of Fish & Game.

 

Access - we need your help to protect it

Public access to New Zealand's best fishing and hunting spots is quietly disappearing. Locked gates on paper roads, changes to overseas land purchase rules, and lost access records are all cutting off Kiwis from their outdoor traditions.

The problems:

• Illegal gates blocking unformed legal roads to waterways
• policy changes removed access requirements from overseas land purchases
• Thousands of existing access rights remain unmapped and invisible to the public

What's at stake: Fish & Game maintains over 3,000 access points nationwide, but once public access is lost, it's nearly impossible to get back.

Your role: Report any blocked access to Fish & Game and local councils immediately. Support our advocacy efforts to restore access protections and digitise existing rights.

Read the full story online here This complex issue affects every angler and hunter in New Zealand. Get the complete picture, including Fish & Game's detailed policy solutions and how you can help protect access for future generations. 

Women On The Fly Update

by Leigh Johnson

Women on the Fly NZ (WoTF NZ) is a self-funded, grassroots community representing women who fly fish across Aotearoa, committed to growing participation through inclusive events, mentorship, and community-building.

WoTF NZ Fourth Annual Fly Fishing Workshop – Pre-registrations open soon
Women on the Fly NZ will hold its fourth annual flagship workshop at TALTAC in Turangi from 7–9 November 2025. Around 40 participants — both beginners and developing anglers — will join up to 20 mentors and volunteers for a fun weekend of fly fishing workshops, presentations, and on-river activities.

Pre-registration details will be available in September. Stay updated via the mailing list, or on Facebook.

Family Licence Changes - We’re Proud to Play Our Part
We supported the changes because our community wanted them — women, who are most often the secondary licence-holder, simply wanted the same rights as the primary licence holder.

We’re proud to see it happen. It welcomes growth by making fishing more accessible for women and whānau, and it ensures more women will help shape the future through their voice and vote. We thank Fish & Game NZ for making these changes a reality.

Partner with WoTF NZ
We’re keen to work with others to support women-focused events and initiatives. Get in touch to explore how we can work together.  More details at www.womenonthefly.nz or contact info@womenonthefly.nz

 

July ReWild Your Kai Competition Winner

Congratulations to Denniston Stewart from Tauranga for capturing this incredible fishing moment and winning our July competition!

What a perfect shot: Denniston captured this pic of his 11-year-old, Declan, landing this beautiful 8lb brown trout on Sunday, June 29, at the Waititi Stream, using Crush City softbait - what a great fish!

But the action didn't stop there. Declan also pulled in three rainbow trout from the Ngongotaha River that same day. Talk about making the most of your time on the water!

This photo perfectly captures what ReWild Your Kai is all about - young anglers getting out there, learning the craft, and experiencing the pure joy of connecting with our incredible fisheries.

Denniston has won:

• Our award-winning cookbook
• Fish & Game camo cap
• $100 Hunting & Fishing voucher

What an absolutely fantastic day had by all - and what an inspiration for other young anglers out there!

 

Resource Management Update

In the policy space we have been busy - please check out recent submissions on our website:  Corporate documents - Fish & Game

Biodiversity Strategy and Predator Free 2050 Strategy Submissions

Submissions have been provided to the Department of Conservation regarding these two strategies at the end of June.

Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

A submission regarding the proposed amendment and ministerial directive was provided. Richie Cosgrove (Acting CEO) and Helen Brosnan (Senior Policy Advisory) presented the submission to Finance Select Committee on 5^th August 2025.

Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill

Fish & Game has provided a letter of support to Game Animal Council’s submission. Richie Cosgrove (Acting CEO) and Maggie Tait (Principal Communications Advisor) presented the submission to the Environment Select Committee on 14^th August 2025.

National Direction Consultation due 27 July 2025

The RMA team has written submissions to three of the four packages. Consultants will be assisting with the Freshwater submission. Previously called National Policy Statements, the Government is amending existing and adding new statements called “National Direction”. We have submitted on the following packages:

• Infrastructure / Renewable Electricity Generation
• Primary Production
• Freshwater

Wildlife Act Amendment

The Department of Conservation (DoC) has drafted an amendment to remedy the issues that have arisen relating to disturb and cull authorisations resulting from a recent ELI judicial review case. Updated authorisations will be provided under s53, s 54 & s56 to regional Fish and Game Councils by DoC asap.

Access Paper for the Minister

An access paper has gone to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing that includes recommendations. Depending on the outcome of discussions, we will then start to scope our Access Strategy and communications. While there has been issues with loss of access, there has also been some success in the regions with building relationships and creating new access opportunities.

New National Conservation Policy Statement

DOC is carrying out targeted consultation on the National Conservation Policy Statement which will replace the Conservation General Policy and the General Policy for National Parks.  Further consultation will occur later in the year including broader conservation amendments through the Select Committee process. We are most concerned with the proposed criteria for exchanges and disposals and how many land classifications restrict access to game bird hunting.

Fast Track Act Waihi North Mine

Auckland-Waikato Fish & Game, with New Zealand Fish & Game, has provided comment for this fast track proposal. As the site involves trout spawning, we have opposed to the proposal. We have also provided mitigation and consent conditions if the panel decides to grant the application.

 

New project to fight back against Didymo 

Didymo is the invasive pest alga that arrived in New Zealand in the early 2000s. It can smother rivers beds with 'rocksnot' - a thick layer of weedy sludge. Nothing eats it, only flooding reduces it, and it's already affecting over 200 rivers in the South Island.

The impact so far:

• 200+ rivers affected in South Island
• 20+ years since arrival
• 0 solutions currently available

It's not affecting the North Island…………yet.

If it significantly affects your favourite river, you'll know all about the problems it causes anglers – from the unpleasant visual impact, to slipping on the rocksnot, to reduced quality and quantity of trout, and having floating bits of Didymo making trout spotting harder and snagging on the line and fly. Some rivers are severely impacted, and the trout fishing is no longer pleasant or possible.

A group of researchers, known as Control Didymo Aotearoa, is stepping up and trying to do something about it. They want to find a way to control Didymo in rivers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

THE SOLUTION: Their plan is to try to specifically target Didymo's ability to make rocksnot, using interfering RNA. This technique is already being used in medicine, and for insect pest control, and more recently to control fungi such as that responsible for Myrtle rust. This project aims to adapt existing technology for use in an aquatic setting to control Didymo.

Want to help? Check out the website.

They need as many people informed and involved as possible to make this a success.

Dr Tom Cawood
Consultant physician and endocrinologist
Founder of Control Didymo Aotearoa

 

Check, Clean, Dry

Protect Our Waterways: How you can help to stop invasive pests

New Zealand's pristine rivers and lakes face a serious threat from invasive freshwater pests like didymo and the invasive freshwater clams. These destructive organisms can spread with frightening ease – a single drop of water is all it takes to contaminate a new waterway.

The good news? Anglers can play a vital role in protecting our waters by following three simple steps between visits to different waterways:

CHECK Before leaving any river or lake:

South Island recreational freshwater users: Stick to the tried-and-true, pre-clam Check Clean Dry method!

• CHECK:Remove all plant and other material from items that have been in the water
• CLEAN:Mix 10% dishwashing detergent with water, use to soak or scrub all items and leave wet for 10 minutes.
• DRY:Dry items completely and leave for at least 48 hours.

North Island recreational freshwater users: Follow the clam-inclusive Check Clean Dry protocol that will kill the clam as well as other invasives.

• CHECK:Remove anything visible like mud, weed or clams from watercraft and gear. Drain all river or lake water.
• CLEAN: Wash down your gear (including boots) and craft with tap water, not into a stormwater system.
  Use a cleaning treatment for absorbent materials:
• Soak in hot water (55◦C) for at least 5 minutes OR
  ·       Soak in 5% household bleach for an hour OR
  ·       Freeze solid overnight.
• DRY:Dry any areas where water has pooled. Then dry watercraft and gear to touch, inside and out and leave to dry for 2 days.

Remember: If you prefer not to treat your gear, simply dedicate it to a single waterway. This option eliminates any risk of cross-contamination while still allowing you to enjoy fishing.

By following these guidelines, you're helping preserve our waterways for future generations of hunters and anglers. Every precaution counts when it comes to protecting New Zealand's precious freshwater ecosystems.