Southland Gamebird Regulation Consultation 2026

Southland Fish & Game is reviewing its game bird hunting regulations for the 2026 gamebird hunting season. As part of this process, we are seeking feedback from hunters on several changes which are being considered.

We welcome your comments on the following items under consideration:

1. Returning to a split season mallard bag limit. I.e., setting the mallard limit to 20 per day on opening weekend and 10 per day thereafter OR  a consistent mallard bag limit of 20 per day for the whole season.
2. Season Length – Extending the waterfowl hunting season to three months. I.e., ending on the last Sunday in July.
3. Shoveler Bag Limit – Increasing the Australasian shoveler bag limit from one to two per day.
4. Removal of the ‘drake only’ harvest regulation for Australasian shoveler.
5. Drift Hunting – Allowing drift hunting during May (excluding opening weekend) on the Oreti, Mataura (upstream of Gore), Aparima, Waiau, and Waimatuku rivers, including their navigable tributaries. Drift hunting would remain closed for May on the Mataura River downstream of Gore.

Feedback on these proposed changes can be sent to feedback@southlandfishgame.co.nz. Feedback closes on 21 January 2026.

To learn more about the background and reasoning behind these proposals, please refer to this supporting document.