Game bird hunters urged to act early as Mark-up Day falls ahead of schedule

Game bird hunters around the country are being urged to purchase their 2026 licences now, with Mark-up Day falling earlier than usual this season and licences on sale from today. 

Because Easter falls early in 2026, Mark-up Day will be held on Sunday, 29 March, a week earlier than many hunters would typically expect. The day is when licence holders can stake their claim on preferred maimai sites ahead of the new game bird season.

Fish & Game New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Richie Cosgrove encouraged game bird hunters to get the jump on the Easter bunny and buy their licence now.

"Licences are on sale from today, and we're encouraging every game bird hunter to get in early," Cosgrove said. "With Mark-up Day falling a week earlier this year, there's less time than usual between now and when you'll need your claim tag."

Hunters who held a maimai site last season can reclaim it on 29 March before 10am by purchasing their 2026 licence and attaching the claim tag. After 10am, any unclaimed sites become available to other licence holders.

"Buy your licence, get your claim tag sorted, and secure your spot before someone else does," Cosgrove said.

Key rules apply to maimai sites nationwide: Mark-up rules cover both private and public land, though landowner permission is still required; on public land a marked-up maimai must be occupied before 7.30am or it becomes available to others for that day; and a 90-metre minimum distance between sites applies unless parties agree otherwise.

Full details are in the Game Bird Hunting Regulations which are available online or through agents/retailers and Fish & Game regional offices. Licences can be purchased at fishandgame.org.nz or through licensed agents nationwide.

Caption: A hunter calling birds in