On this page, you’ll find useful resources on the Government’s proposed resource management reforms, what they mean for hunting and angling, our valued introduced species and their habitat, and what role you can play.
Fish & Game is seeking changes to the Government's replacement of the Resource Management Act with two new bills:
While we welcome some elements of the reform, particularly the retention of Water Conservation Orders, we are concerned about:
- adequate recognition of hunting and fishing values
- protection of trout and salmon habitat
- public access provisions
- Fish & Game's ability to fulfil its statutory advocacy function
- recognition and protection of wetlands.
The Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill
The Government will replace the Resource Management Act with a Planning Bill to enable development and regulate land use, and a Natural Environment Bill “to establish a framework for the use, protection, and enhancement of the natural environment".
Our concerns
We would like to see changes to the Bills so that:
- The habitat of trout and salmon are recognised and protected
- Access to the natural environment is enhanced for anglers, hunters or the wider public
- Our Sports Fish and Game Management Plans are recognised so they can be considered and incorporated into planning documents
- Wetlands are recognised and protected while continuing to enable creation and restoration of wetlands
- Water Conservation Order provisions are stronger
The goals of the bills need to explicitly recognise recreation, enhance access to natural environments and protect the habitats that support trout, salmon, and game birds.
We need your help to secure these changes.
Key issues
- The limits framework will not protect trout and salmon
The Bills seek to manage the use of resources within limits but then enables a range of activities which may breach these limits. Fish & Game's experience shows that clear limits matter. Where national direction is strong, economic development and land use change can occur. Where safeguards are vague or deferred, then environmental degradation can occur, sometimes irreversibly. The limits framework needs changes to ensure the Bills live up to promise of protecting the health of the environment.
- Life supporting capacity and ecosystem health
Under the Bills as drafted, freshwater limits are set to protect ecosystem health, defined solely by reference to indigenous species. That means limits can’t protect the habitat of trout and salmon.
Trout and salmon are valued introduced species and part of a healthy ecosystem, and a healthy ecosystem is needed to provide for fishing values. If limits don’t protect trout and salmon, the quality of the environment may be allowed to decline, and our wild fishery is at risk of being lost.
If the definition isn’t expanded, then species like trout and salmon are not recognised or protected, and their presence could be seen to degrade these habitats.
- Protection and enhancement of wetlands
Less than about 9 per cent of New Zealand’s original wetlands remain today.
These wetlands not only support game birds but also provide vital habitat for native fish and rare and endangered birds, offering places to feed, breed and shelter.
Wetlands also act as natural filters, trapping sediment, nutrients and pollutants before they reach rivers, lakes and estuaries, which improves water quality downstream.
They help reduce flooding by slowing and storing floodwaters, and they support resilience in the face of climate change by buffering droughts and extreme rainfall, making them valuable natural infrastructure as well as ecological treasures.
Unfortunately, there is no definition or clear protection for wetlands in the proposed new bills. That means incremental loss of wetlands through land use change will continue.
As wetland extent and function decline, game bird populations decline with them, and hunting opportunities will be lost. Once lost, these environments are exceptionally difficult to restore.
Water Conservation Orders
It’s great to see Water Conservation Orders are retained in the new Bill, however some detail is lacking, and changes are needed to ensure WCOs are effective and enduring.
Access
We know access is the number one issue for anglers and hunters and while the Bill protects existing access it doesn’t provide for new access.
We are calling for the government to ensure that access to rivers, lakes and wetlands is provided when land is subdivided. For example, we want to see more Esplanade reserves and strips being created for anglers and game bird hunter access.
How you can submit
There are two ways you can support us:
Option 1: Share why fishing and hunting matter to you
This is perfect if you want to make your voice heard and want to show MPs why our community’s views matter.
The select committee needs to hear directly from the people who fish and hunt.
Your personal experience matters just as much as technical arguments.
Fish & Game represents 140,000 anglers and hunters across New Zealand. These activities contributes to regional economies and are a cornerstone of recreation, wellbeing, and connection to place for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. Decision-makers need to understand what's at stake.
Your story about what these places and activities mean to you is powerful evidence that politicians need to hear.
Step 1. Draft your submission
Please include a request that the committee amend the Bills to recognise hunting and angling values and the species and habitats we value.
Use the following prompts to help guide your response:
- Why you love fishing or game bird hunting in New Zealand
- What healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands mean to you and your family
- What have you seen over the years – some experiences both positive and negative.
- What do you want your grandkids/future generations to experience?
Step 2. Visit the Parliament website.
Step 3. Submit your response
Click "I am ready to make my submission".
You can either:
- upload your submission as a document or PDF
- Paste your text directly into the comment section.
Step 4. Share your submission with us
Also please share a copy of your submission with us to media@fishandgame.org.nz, so we can share your views and encourage others to help.
Option 2: Make a detailed submission using our solutions
This is for those who make a detailed submission recommending changes to specific clauses and propose solutions.
We've identified key issues across both Bills and developed specific solutions. You can use our detailed breakdown below to craft your own submission addressing particular topics that matter to you.
Step 1. Review the detailed submission guide here.
We've outlined key issues and the solutions we're seeking. You can use these to inform your own submission.
Step 2. Visit the Parliament website.
Go to the Parliament website to make your submission here.
Step 3. Submit your response
Click "I am ready to make my submission".
You can either:
- upload your submission as a document or PDF
- Paste your text directly into the comment section.
Step 4. Share your submission with us
Also please share a copy of your submission with us to media@fishandgame.org.nz, so we can share your views and encourage others to help.
Want to learn more?
Fish & Game will host a webinar on February 11 at 7pm for licence holders who want to hear Fish & Game’s views on the reforms to help inform their submissions. Register here.
The Fish & Game submission
Our submission will be seeking to provide pragmatic solutions to these and other areas in the proposed bills to positively represent our angling and game bird hunting licence holders.
Submissions close on 13 February 2026.
Make a detailed submission
This is for those who make a detailed submission recommending changes to specific clauses and propose solutions.