Notice Type
General Section
Notice Title

Open Season for Game in Fish and Game Regions

Wildlife Act 1953
Wildlife Regulations 1955
New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Stamp Regulations 1993

Open Season for Game in Fish and Game Regions

Under sections 15 and 16 of the Wildlife Act 1953, the Minister of Conservation declares an open season for game in the Fish and Game Regions from 2 May 2020 to 30 April 2021 inclusive, subject to the conditions specified in the First and Second Schedules of this notice.

The Minister of Conservation gives consent, under section 17(2) of the Wildlife Act 1953, to the hunting or killing of game in the manner set out in this notice.

New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Stamp

A game bird habitat stamp must be affixed to every licence to hunt or kill game or (in the case of licences issued electronically or in the form of plastic cards) a reproduction of the stamp incorporated within it.1 The following form of the 2020 Game Bird Habitat Stamp is approved.2

2020 Game Bird Habitat Stamp

The 2020 Game Bird Habitat Stamp has a face value of ten dollars ($10.00). A fee of four dollars ($4.00) only is payable for every game bird habitat stamp supplied with a licence to hunt or kill game.3

First Schedule Hunting conditions generally common to all Fish and Game Regions.
Second Schedule Regionally specific hunting conditions, bag limits, closed and open game areas, and the like.


First Schedule

Hunting Conditions Generally Common to All Fish and Game Regions

1. Bag limits

  1. No person shall possess on any one day, more than the number of game birds specified as the daily bag limit for the Fish and Game Region in which the game is taken, except on Sunday 3 May 2020, when that person may have in his or her possession twice the number of game birds specified as the daily bag limit for Saturday 2 May 2020.
  2. A person may possess more game than specified in clause 1(1) of this Schedule, if all such game is labelled with the following details:
      1. The name and address of the person by whom the game was taken;
      2. The number of the licence to hunt or kill game held by the person by whom the game was taken;
      3. The name of the Fish and Game Region by which that licence was issued;
      4. The name of the Fish and Game Region in which the game was taken; and
      5. The date on which the game was taken.

2. Waiver of Restrictions on Baiting for Waterfowl

A person may hunt or kill game of the family Anatidae (waterfowl) during the open season for game in all Fish and Game Regions, except Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region, where food has been cast, thrown, placed or planted any time during the year.4 In the Second Schedule, Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region, Special Condition 4(9), applies to restrictions on baiting.

3. Magazine Shotguns

A person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, in any Fish and Game Regions with any magazine shotgun of a calibre 10 gauge or less, which includes magazine extensions,5other than in the:

  1. Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region;
  2. Eastern Fish and Game Region;
  3. Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game Region;
  4. Wellington Fish and Game Region;
  5. Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Region;
  6. West Coast Fish and Game Region.

For these six Regions special conditions in the Second Schedule apply.

4. Shot Size

No person shall use, in any shotgun used for the purposes of hunting and killing game, any cartridge containing any shot size having a larger retained, per-pellet energy at 90 metres than lead BB.

5. Use of Lead Shot Prohibited

  1. No person may possess lead shot, or use lead shot, while hunting or killing waterfowl within 200 metres of open water on Department of Conservation and Fish and Game administered lands with any gun, except those using a .410 cartridge. Non-toxic alternative shot must be used, including steel.
  2. No person, with any gun using a 10 or 12 gauge cartridge, may possess lead shot, or use lead shot, while hunting or killing waterfowl within 200 metres of open water. Non-toxic alternative shot must be used, including steel.
  3. For the purposes of this requirement, “waterfowl” means any of the following game species:

    Black swan (Cygnus atratus);

    Grey duck (Anas superciliosa) and any cross of that species with any other species, variety, or kind of duck;

    Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and any cross of that species with any other species, variety, or kind of duck;

    Paradise shelduck (Tadorna variegata) also known as Paradise duck;

    Australasian shoveler duck (New Zealand shoveler) (Anas rhynchotis);

    Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus).

  4. For the purposes of this requirement, “open water” means either:
    1. any area of land or seabed covered permanently or seasonally by water wider than 3 metres; or
    2. any area which is temporarily covered by water wider than 3 metres at the time of such possession or use, and that is contiguous to an area referred to in paragraph (4)(a).
  5. In 2021 lead shot will be prohibited for all licence holders (irrespective of gauge used, excepting .410) across all lands (public and private) when hunting waterfowl within 200 metres of all waterways and wetlands.

6. Camouflaged Rowboats

A person may hunt or kill game within the following Fish and Game Regions, from unmoored camouflaged rowboats, subject to the excluded periods for the regions specified below:6

Northland—no excluded period

Auckland/Waikato—excluding 2 and 3 May 2020

Eastern—excluding 2 and 3 May 2020

Hawke’s Bay—excluding 2 and 3 May 2020

Taranaki—no excluded period

Wellington—excluding 2 and 3 May 2020

Nelson/Marlborough—no excluded period

West Coast—no excluded period

North Canterbury—excluding 2 and 3 May 2020

Central South Island—excluding 2 and 3 May 2020

Otago—excluding Clutha River 2 to 10 May 2020 inclusive

Southland—excluding the Mataura, Aparima, Oreti, Waiau and Waimatuku rivers and their tributaries 2 to 31 May 2020 inclusive and excluding that part of the Oreti River below the Dunn’s Road bridge on the Oreti River for the whole season.

7. Restriction on Taking of Game

No person shall use any vehicle propelled by mechanical power (including motorised watercraft) to chase or kill game, except in such circumstances and at such times as authorised by the Conservation Act 1987 and Wildlife Act 1953.7

8. Pegging Day

  1. Stand claimants who claimed and occupied a stand during the 2019 Game Season may claim that stand at any time prior to pegging day (up to 10.00am on 5 April 2020) following the purchase of the 2020 game licence. If you are in the Auckland/Waikato Region, then the above-mentioned applies only to Adult Whole Season Licence Holders and does not apply to Junior Licence Holders as it does in all other Fish and Game Regions.
  2. Otherwise, unclaimed stands can only be claimed any time after 10.00am on 5 April 2020 in all Fish and Game Regions.
  3. A stand may be claimed by planting on it a stake having either a board or identifying label attached, plainly identifying the name of the claimant and the number of his/her licence. The hunting stand claim tag provided with the licence must be completed with the name of the claimant and affixed to the board or identifying label.
  4. The licence holder claiming a stand must be present in person at the stand when marking it up.
  5. No one can claim more than one stand.
  6. A stand cannot be claimed closer than 90 metres to a stand already claimed by another person without that person’s consent.
  7. Any stand not occupied by the claimant within one hour after the opening hour of hunting, on any day, can be occupied by another licence holder for the remainder of the day.

9. Conditions

These conditions will expire at the end of the open season for game specified under the Second Schedule for each Fish and Game Region.


Northland Fish and Game Region8

1. Game That May Be Hunted or Killed—Duration of the 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of that species 2 May to 28 June 2020 12
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 28 June 2020 3
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 2 Aug 2020 20
  20 Feb 2021 to 28 Feb 2021 20
Black swan 2 May to 2 Aug 2020 20
  20 Feb 2021 to 28 Feb 2021 20
Pukeko 2 May to 23 Aug 2020 12
  20 Feb 2021 to 28 Feb 2021 12
California and brown quail 2 May to 23 Aug 2020 10
Cock pheasant 2 May to 23 Aug 2020 5

2. Shooting Hours

  1. 6.30am to 6.30pm, except the hunting of:
    1. Paradise shelduck on 20 February to 28 February 2021 will be from 6.30am to 8.00pm.
    2. Pukeko and black swan from 20 February to 28 February 2021 inclusive will be from 6.30am to 8.00pm.

3. Decoy Limit

No limit.

4. Special Conditions

  1. No person shall wilfully leave on the hunting ground any game bird(s) shot or parts of any game bird(s) shot.
  2. Camouflaged Rowboats: Persons may hunt or kill game from an unmoored camouflaged rowboat.
  3. During the 20 February to 28 February 2021 special open season, no person shall hunt within 300 metres of any urban sewage oxidation ponds.
  4. Any licensed game bird hunter who has a Department of Conservation permit to take or kill wildlife for the purpose of hawking may hunt with an Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans) to take game birds. This is subject to the season length and bag limit for each game bird species in clause 1 of this notice and any other special conditions for the Northland Fish and Game region and also subject to any conditions imposed by the Director-General of Conservation under such a permit.


Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region9

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey, mallard and shoveler duck: A maximum total bag not exceeding 10 birds for all species combined and no more than the individual bag limit for each species.
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of those species 2 May to 1 Jun 2020 10 All areas, except that no duck may be hunted on Great Barrier Island
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 1 Jun 2020 2 All areas, except that no duck may be hunted on Great Barrier Island
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 10 The region south of Auckland Harbour Bridge
  2 May to 28 Jun 2020 20 The region north of Auckland Harbour Bridge
  20 Feb to 21 Feb 2021 10 The region north of Auckland Harbour Bridge
Pukeko

2 May to 30 Aug 2020

20 Feb to 21 Feb 2021

10

10

All areas

The region north of Auckland Harbour Bridge

Black swan 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 20 The region west of State Highway 1 and north of State Highway 22 (Glenbrook Road), Constable and Karioitahi Roads
Black swan 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 5 In the Otorohanga, Waitomo and Ruapehu District Council areas within the A/WF&GC region and the Aotea Harbour
Black swan 2 May to 1 Jun 2020 2 All other areas (except that no Black swan may be hunted or killed on the Waikato Hydro Lakes: Karapiro, Arapuni and Waipapa)
Bobwhite (Virginian) quail, California and Brown Quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Cock pheasant Pheasant, both sexes 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 3 All areas
  1 Sep to 28 Sep 2020 No limit Whaingaroa Pheasants and Glen Massey upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 6 for this region (junior hunters only)
Pheasant, both sexes 2 May to 30 August 2020 No limit Upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 6 for this Region
Red legged partridge

2 May to 30 Aug 2020

2 May to 30 Aug 2020

1 Apr to 2 May 2021

10

No limit

All Areas

Upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 6 for this Region

2. Shooting Hours

6.30am to 6.00pm, except the hunting of paradise shelduck and pukeko on 20 February to 21 February 2021 will be from 6.30am to 8.00pm.

3. Decoy Limit

No limit, except on Lake Waikare and Lake Rotokauri – a total decoy limit of 50 decoys per stand and no decoys to be placed within 50 metres of those placed by another hunter. Furthermore, on Lake Rotokauri a total limit of no more than 2 battery powered decoys per stand.

4. Special Conditions

  1. No person may use or cause to be used for the hunting or killing of game on Lake Waikare, any drifting or temporarily moored floating stand or any stand, hide or maimai which is permanently fixed to the lake bed except within 180 metres of the outer margin of the lake or the shoreline of Motu Nuia Island (Grape Island).
  2. No person may use or cause to be used for the hunting or killing of game on Lake Ngaroto any fixed stand, pontoon, hide or maimai except within 85 metres of the margin of the lake.
  3. No person may use or cause to be used for the hunting or killing of game on Lake Rotokauri any fixed stand, pontoon, hide or maimai on any open water of the lake.
  4. No person may wilfully leave on the hunting ground any game bird(s) shot or parts of any game birds shot.
  5. No person may herd or drive waterfowl for the purpose of hunting or killing them.
  6. No person may shoot game from any unmoored boat on the Waikato River north of the boat ramp at the confluence of the Mangawara Stream and the Waikato River at Taupiri on any of the first three days or the second weekend of the open season.
  7. No person may possess a firearm in or on any unmoored vessel, except a rowboat, unless the firearm is dismantled or secured in a case, gunslip or other secure compartment, except when in use to retrieve wounded game.
  8. On public land, the last tagged owner must remove any maimai not tagged up for 2 years from the date of the last mark-up.
  9. No person may hunt or kill game of the family Anatidae (waterfowl) in all the area contained within a distance of 100 metres from the margins of any waters together with the area covered by those waters where food has been cast, thrown, placed or planted any time during the period 2 April to 28 June 2020 inclusive.10
  10. No person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, within the Auckland/Waikato region with any magazine shotgun of 10 gauge or smaller (including 12, 16, 20, 28, .410) unless the shotgun:
    1. has a magazine of any type adjusted with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun; or
    2. the magazine is pinned in accordance with Regulations made under this Act;
    so that the magazine shotgun is incapable of holding more than 2 shells in the magazine, with no more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined, at any one time.
  11. Any licensed game bird hunter who has a Department of Conservation permit to take or kill wildlife for the purpose of hawking may hunt with an Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans) to take game birds. This is subject to the season length and bag limit for each game bird species in clause 1 of this notice for this region and subject to any conditions imposed by the Director-General of Conservation under such a permit.
  12. No person may shoot game on Lake Cameron and Lake Mangakaware except from fixed stands authorised by the Waipa District Council.

5. Closed Game Areas

  1. All that area of the Waikato River below Mean High Water Spring Tide from the Tasman Sea inland to an imaginary line commencing from a marker at the exit of the Fisherman’s Road drain on the north-western side of the river in Block VII Maioro Survey District, bearing 126 degrees true to a marker on the south-eastern side of the river.
  2. All DP 23519, being part Maungatapu Block, Blocks II and VI Maungakawa Survey District, being 15 hectares, the property of A. C. Allen, “Riverdale”, Piako, Morrinsville.
  3. The township of Te Aroha.
  4. All that area lying to the east of the Southern Motorway and known as Pahurehure Inlet.
  5. 129 hectares, being part of the Manukau Harbour known as Waimahia Creek.
  6. Lots 1–6 DPS 81922, subdivision of part Lot 7 DP 9441 and part Section 19 Block II Whitianga Survey District, 53.3353 hectares. Property of Andrew Hill.
  7. Lake Puketirini (Weavers Lake) at Huntly.

6. Upland Game Properties with Special Conditions

  1. This clause applies to the following specified properties only:
    1. Leigh Barton property at 314 Aspin Road, Cambridge. The property is owned by & C.Erkkila Family Trust, located north-east of Cambridge. The boundaries are Aspin Road to the north, and private farm land to the east and west with Mangakawa Reserve to the south. The property is 211 hectares, more or less, and contained in Certificate of Title SA674/278.
    2. Glen Burn Park being some 147 hectares at 381 Waitomo Valley Road, Otorohanga, comprising Lot 2 DP 416788, owned by Robert Johnston, and 388 Waitomo Valley Road, Otorohanga, comprising Section 34 Blk VII Orahiri SD, owned by Patrick Tarrant.
    3. Whaingaroa Pheasants. The property is owned by Raglan Land Company Limited being some 377 hectares at 276 Maungatawhiri Road, Raglan, Lot 4 DP 433621 Blks II, IV, VI Karioi SD, and 271C Bensemen Road, Raglan, Lot 3 DP 443512, and 343 Te Hutewai Road, Raglan, Lot 5 DP 447258, Lot 6 DP 447258.
    4. Glen Massey Game Preserve: The property is owned by Tutsham Limited being some 292 hectares and located west of Wilton Collieries Road, comprising Lot 1 DPS 79675, Lot 2 DPS 78878, Lot 3 DPS 78878, Sec 2A Blk IX Newcastle SD, situated in the Northern Waikato.
    5. Lighthouse Station: The property is owned by Lighthouse Station Limited being some 345 hectares and located west of Manukau Heads Road and north of Dickey Road, Awhitu, comprising Certificates of Titles 666156, 666157, NA2D/852, NA129A/547, NZ1011/239, NZ333/280, NZ2D/933, NA129A/546, NA129/549, NA129A/548.
  2. Where hunting takes place in any specified property defined in this notice, no person shall have in that person’s possession outside that specified property any game taken from that specified property, unless affixed to the game is a label with the name of the specified property where that game was taken or killed written legibly on it, and the additional words on the label, “for personal consumption, not for sale or profit”, written legibly on it.
  3. A person must not clip the wings of a bird released on any specified property after the bird is 8 weeks old.
  4. A person must not clip the beak of any bird released on any specified property at any time.
  5. A person must not hunt:
    1. a pheasant before it is 18 weeks old;
    2. a red legged partridge before it is 16 weeks old.
  6. A person must not hunt a waterfowl on specified property on the same day that a pheasant or red legged partridge hunt takes place on that property.
  7. The unlimited daily bag for any specified property shall only apply when at least 400 pheasants and/or red legged partridges have been released on to that specified property within 5 months of the opening day of the season; otherwise the daily bag limit shall be 3 birds.
  8. A property owner listed in subclause (1) or a lessee of that property owner must keep a register of:
    1. the names and addresses of hunters and all other persons who take game from that property;
    2. the number and type of birds taken by those persons;
    3. the description of that person’s role in the hunting and killing of game birds on that day.


Eastern Fish and Game Region11

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck 2 May to 1 Jun 2020 8 All areas except the Reporoa Area
  2 May to 1 Jun 2020 4 The Reporoa Area
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 1 Jun 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 6 Area A1, A2
  2 May to 28 Jun 2020 10 Area B2 and that part of B1, which lies south of the true right bank of the Uawa River Mouth, Tolaga Bay
  2 May to 12 Jul 2020 20 That part of B1, which lies north of the true right bank of the Uawa River Mouth, Tolaga Bay
Pukeko 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 All areas
  27 Feb and 28 Feb 2021 10 All areas
Black swan 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 No limit Area A1
  27 Feb and 28 Feb 2021 No limit Area A1
  2 May to 28 Jun 2020 5 Area A2
  Closed season 0 Area B1 & B2
Bobwhite (Virginian) quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 No limit All areas
Brown quail Closed season 0 All areas
California quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 No limit Area A1 & A2
  2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 Area B1 & B2
Cock pheasant 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 All areas excluding upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 7 for this Region
Pheasant, both sexes 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 No limit Upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 7 for this Region
Cock pheasant 31 Aug to 13 Sep 2020 No limit Upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 7 for this Region (junior hunters only)
Red legged partridge 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 No limit Upland game properties with special conditions specified in clause 7 for this Region

2. Definition of Areas

The following descriptions refer to Management Units within the Eastern Region (described on Infomap 242B-2 Land Information New Zealand). The Management Units are defined using both District Council and Eastern Region Fish and Game boundaries. The coastal boundaries of Management Units A1, B1 and, B2 follow the coastline as per Infomap 242-2.

  1. Area A1: Tauranga District, Western Bay of Plenty District, that part of the South Waikato District within the Eastern Fish and Game region and east of State Highway 1, Rotorua District, Kawerau District, Whakatane District and Opotiki District.
  2. Area A2: Those parts of the South Waikato District west of State Highway 1 within the Eastern Fish and Game region, Taupo District and Ruapehu District, which lie within the Eastern Fish and Game region.
  3. Area B1: Gisborne District.
  4. Area B2: That part of Wairoa District within the Eastern Fish and Game region.
  5. Reporoa Area: That area bounded by Waikite Valley Road (Waiotapu) to SH 5 to Settlers Road which becomes Broadlands Roads to SH 1 (Taupo Bypass) to SH 30 to Whirinaki Valley Road (Ngakuru) to Waikite Valley Road.

3. Shooting Hours

6.15am to 6.15pm in all areas for all species during their respective seasons.

4. Decoy Limit

No limit.

5. Special Conditions

  1. No person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, within the Eastern region with any magazine shotgun unless the shotgun:
    1. has a magazine of any type adjusted with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun; or
    2. the magazine is pinned in accordance with Regulations made under this Act;
    so that the magazine shotgun is incapable of holding more than 2 shells in the magazine, with no more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined, at any one time.
  2. No maimai shall impede the use of navigable channels in the Tauranga Harbour, Ohiwa Harbour, Little Waihi Estuary, Lake Aniwhenua and Lake Taupo.
  3. A person who erects a maimai in the Little Waihi Estuary, Lake Aniwhenua, Ohiwa Harbour, Stump and Waihi Bays of Lake Taupo must dismantle and remove it within 2 weeks of the close of the season (ie by 14 September 2020).
  4. A licensed game bird hunter who has a Department of Conservation permit to take or kill wildlife for the purpose of hawking may hunt with an Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans) to take game birds. This is subject to the season length and bag limit for game birds specified in clause 1 of this notice for this Region and subject to any condition imposed by the Director-General of Conservation under such a permit.

6. Hunting From a Boat Under Power

No person may possess a firearm that can be rapidly deployed in or on any unmoored vessel, except (1) where the unmoored vessel is not being propelled at the time by a motorised device, or (2) the firearm is needed to retrieve wounded game. For the purpose of this subclause a firearm is considered unable to be rapidly deployed if it has been dismantled or secured in a case, gunslip or other secure compartment.

7. Upland Game Properties with Special Conditions

  1. Pirini Family Trust: The property is located 8 kilometres up the Bush Road from Pongokawa. It is bounded by Pongakawa River, Rotoehu Forest and Bush Road, Sections 4, 5 and 7 SO 7437 Block IX Waihi South Survey District. The property is leased by N. Raven.

Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game Region12

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck 2 May to 16 Jun 2020 8 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 16 Jun 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 16 Jun 2020 8 All areas
Pukeko 2 May to 25 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Black swan 2 May to 16 Jun 2020 3 All areas
Brown quail Closed season 0 All areas
California quail 2 May to 25 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Cock pheasant 2 May to 25 Aug 2020 2 All areas


2. Shooting Hours

6.15am to 6.00pm.

3. Decoy Limit

No limit.

4. Special Conditions

  1. No person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, within the Hawke’s Bay region with any magazine extensions on a shotgun of 10 gauge or smaller (including 12, 16, 20, 28, .410).
    1. Magazine shotguns must be restricted in such a way that the shotgun is incapable of holding more than two shells in the magazine, with no more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined at any one time.
  2. Any licensed game bird hunter who has a Department of Conservation permit to take or kill wildlife for the purpose of hawking may hunt with an Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans) to take game birds. This is subject to the season length and bag limit for game birds specified in clause 1 of this notice for this Region and subject to any conditions imposed by the Director-General of Conservation under such a permit.

Taranaki Fish and Game Region13

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 10 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 10 All areas
  27 and 28 Feb 2021 10 Area C
  6 and 7 Mar 2021 10 Area C
Black swan 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 2 All areas
Pukeko 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 Areas A&B
  2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 Area C
California quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 All areas
Cock pheasant 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 2 All areas


2. Definition of Areas

  1. Area A: That area within the following boundary commencing at Waiaruhe Road; then by that road, Owhakura Road, Whangaehu Valley Road and Fields Track to Kakatahi; then by straight lines to Pipiriki and Tawhata; then by Tawhata Road to the boundary; then by the generally eastern boundary of the region to Waiaruhe Road.
  2. Area B: That area within the following boundary commencing at Waiaruhe Road; then by that road, Owhakura Road, Whangaehu Valley Road and Fields Track to Kakatahi; then by straight lines to Pipiriki and Makakaho Junction down the eastern bank of the Waitotara River to the sea; then by the sea coast and generally eastern boundary of the region to Waiaruhe Road.
  3. Area C: The balance of the region contained by the westerly boundaries of Area A and B and the sea coast between the Mokau River and Waitotara River mouths.

3. Shooting Hours

6.30am to 6.15pm.

4. Decoy Limit

No limit.

5. Special Conditions

  1. Special Paradise Shelduck Season
    Area C only: For the Special Paradise Shelduck Season on 27 February, 28 February, 6 March and 7 March 2021, the hours of hunting are extended to 6.30am to 8.00pm. In addition, all hunters, including land occupiers, must hold a Taranaki Special Paradise Shelduck Season Hunting Permit that has been issued by the Taranaki Fish and Game Council (or authorised agent) to that named person.
  2. No person shall hunt, as specified, within 200m of any urban sewage oxidation pond.
  3. No person may wilfully leave on the hunting ground any game bird(s) shot or parts of any game birds shot.
  4. Any licensed game bird hunter who has a Department of Conservation permit to take or kill wildlife for the purpose of hawking may hunt with an Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans) to take game birds. This is subject to the season length and bag limit for each game bird species in clause 1 of this notice for this region and subject to any conditions imposed by the Director-General of Conservation under such a permit.

Wellington Fish and Game Region14

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 10 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 10 All areas
Pukeko 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 All areas
Black swan 2 May to 28 Jun 2020 3 All areas
Brown quail Closed season 0 All areas
California quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 All areas
Cock pheasant 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 2 All areas
Red-legged partridge 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 1 All areas


2. Definition of Areas

  1. Area A – EAST: All of the Wellington Region east of main Ruahine and Tararua/Rimutaka ranges.
  2. Area B – WEST: All of the Wellington Region west of main Ruahine and Tararua/Rimutaka ranges.

3. Shooting Hours

6.30am to 6.30pm

4. Decoy Limit

No limit.

5. Special conditions

No person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, within the Wellington region with any magazine extensions on a shotgun of a bore smaller than 10 gauge (including 12, 16, 20, 28, .410).


Nelson Marlborough Region15

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of those species 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 8 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 10 All areas, except Tasman/Golden Bay area
  2 May to 26 Jul 2020 15 Tasman/Golden Bay area
Pukeko

2 May to 26 Jul 2020

2 May to 26 Jul 2020

10

20

Except East Coast/Kaikoura & Tasman/Golden Bay area Tasman/Golden Bay area
  2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 East Coast/Kaikoura area only
 

29 Jul to 27 Oct 2020

1 Jan 2021 to 28 Feb 2021

20

20

Tasman/Golden Bay area only Tasman/Golden Bay area only
Black swan

2 May to 26 Jul 2020

8 Aug to 30 Aug 2020

10

10

All areas All areas
California quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 Except Motueka and Waimea River Bermland
  30 May to 30Aug 2020 10 Motueka and Waimea River Bermland only
Cock pheasant (subject to clause 5(4) for this region)

30 May to 1 Jun 2020

27 and 28 Jun 2020

11 and 12 Jul 2020

1

1

1

All publicly administered land including Rabbit Island (Fish & Game organised hunt only) (excludes Crown Forest land)
Cock pheasant (subject to clause 5(4) for this region) 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 1 All privately owned land as well as Crown Forest Land
Chukar (subject to clause 5(7) for this region) 1 Jul to 31 Jul 2020 2 All areas


2. Definition of Areas

  1. Wairau Lagoons: That area defined as all open waters, islands and the peninsula between Chandlers Lagoon and Big Lagoon, south of the Wairau River mouth, including Te Aropipi Channel and south to the White Bluffs.
  2. Tasman/Golden Bay area: The area west of the Bryant/Gordon Range, north of State Highway 63 from St Arnaud to Kawatiri Junction encompassing Tasman & Golden Bays.
  3. Motueka River Bermland: The area adjacent to the Motueka River downstream of the Alexander Bluff Bridge within the boundaries of State Highway 61 and Old Wharf Road to the east and the Motueka River West Bank Road, Umukuri Road and Lodder Lane in the west.
  4. Waimea River Bermland: That area known as the Waimea Bermland contained within the stopbanks (or a 200 metre strip from both riverbanks where stopbanks are not present) of the Waimea and Wairoa Rivers up to the junction of the Lee River and the Wai-iti River up to State Highway 6 (Wai-iti Bridge). Hunters are advised not to hunt the area between Pugh Road and Brightwater due to safety issues with the proximity of the cycleway and roads.
  5. East Coast/Kaikoura Area: The area to the south of the Awatere Valley/Molesworth Road and the Redwood Pass Road.

3. Shooting Hours

6.30am to 6.30pm during May, then 6.45am to 6.15pm until 30 August 2020. For the remaining pukeko season, sunrise to sunset.

4. Decoy Limit

No limit.

5. Special Conditions

  1. All permanent hunting stands/maimais used for the purposes of hunting of game on the Wairau Lagoons must be situated above the mean high-water level.
  2. Moored camouflaged boats are permitted for hunting or killing game in the Wairau Lagoons, but shall not be within 200 metres of any other hunting stand.
  3. Farmers who hunt their own property under section 19 of the Wildlife Act 1953 are allowed to do so without having to purchase a licence, although they are subject to this notice and the Regulations. Those farmers who wish to do so can receive a current copy of the regional newsletter and national magazine. Contact the Nelson Fish and Game Council office to place your address on the mailing list.
  4. The pheasant season for all Crown Forestry land has been increased subject to usual forestry access hunting permit requirements. Although a permit/diary is required when hunting Crown forestry land, pheasant hunting on private land is no longer subject to diary/permit requirements. Permits are available on request from the Fish and Game Council office in Richmond at no cost.
  5. Waimea Estuary. Due to the proximity of the cycleway, those hunting Pearl Creek and Neiman Creek are advised to use caution.
  6. No person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, within the Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game region with any magazine extensions on a shotgun of a bore smaller than 10 gauge (including 12, 16, 20, 28, .410).
  7. Chukar hunting by permit only and subject to strict access conditions. Permits are available on request from the Fish and Game Council office in Richmond at no cost.


West Coast Fish and Game Region16

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of those species 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 Aggregate bag 15 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 15 All areas
  6 Mar to 21 Mar 2021 5 All areas
Pukeko 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 10 North of the Taramakau River
  2 May to 26 Jul 2020 20 South of the Taramakau River
  6 Mar to 21 Mar 2021 5 All areas
Black swan 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 4 All areas
  6 Mar to 21 Mar 2021 2 All areas
Cock Pheasant 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 All areas


2. Shooting Hours

6.30am to 6.30pm (May to July inclusive).

6.30am to 8.00pm (March).

3. Decoy Limit

No limit.

4. Special conditions

No person may hunt or kill game birds, as specified, within the West Coast region with any magazine shotgun of a bore smaller than 10 gauge unless the shotgun:

  1. has a magazine of any type adjusted with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun; or
  2. the magazine is pinned in accordance with Regulations made under this Act;

so that the magazine shotgun is incapable of holding more than 4 shells in the magazine, with no more than 5 shells in the magazine and chamber combined, at any one time.


North Canterbury Fish and Game Region17

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 202019/20210 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey, mallard and shoveler duck aggregate bag limit 2 and 3 May 2020 25 All areas
Grey, mallard duck and any hybrid of those species 4 May to 26 Jul 2020 15 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 20 Area A
  2 May to 20 Sep 2020 20 Area B
  30 Jan 2021 to 14 Mar 2021 15 Area A
  30 Jan 2021 to 14 Mar 2021 20 Area B
Pukeko 2 May to 27 Sept 2020 5 All areas
Black swan 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 5 Area A
  27 Jul to 27 Sep 2020 20 Area A
  2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 Area B
California quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Cock pheasant 6 and 7 Jun 2020
(two days only)
1 All areas
Chukar Closed season 0 All areas


2. Definition of Areas

  1. Area A (Paradise shelduck and Black swan): That area east of State Highway 1 from the Rakaia River in the south to Woodend Beach Road in the north.
  2. Area B (Paradise shelduck and Black swan): The remainder of the region excluding “Area A”.

3. Shooting Hours

  1. Paradise shelduck
    2 May to 20 September 2020 6.30am to 6.30pm during the specified season
    30 January 2021 to 14 March 2021 5.00am to 10.00pm during the specified season
  2. All other game birds
    6.30am to 6.30pm during the specified season

4. Decoy Limit

No limit.

5. Special Conditions

  1. No person shall wilfully leave on the hunting ground the body or a part of the body of any game bird shot in this region.

6. Closed Game Areas

There are three Closed Game Areas in the North Canterbury Region: St Anne’s Lagoon, the northern end of the Rakaia Lagoon and the Ahuriri Lagoon.

  1. St Anne’s Lagoon: Those parts of St Anne’s Lagoon (commonly known as Cheviot Lagoon) situated on part Section 27 Block IV, and part Sections 1 and 4 Block VII Cheviot Survey District together with a strip of land 45.72 metres in width along the margins. On the remainder of this lagoon and land adjoining (being Reserve 3146), shooting is prohibited as it is a reserve pursuant to the Reserves Act 1977.
  2. Rakaia Lagoon: All that area known as the Rakaia River Lagoon, being an area from a line commencing at the confluence of Boat Creek which flows into the lagoon from the northern shore, then north-easterly to the head of the lagoon and including the foreshore in front of the Rakaia Huts Village, then around the lagoon and south-west along the shingle spit opposite Boat Creek, the area being specifically marked by “Closed Game Area” signage.
  3. Ahuriri Lagoon: All that area of land in the Canterbury Land District, situated in Block X Halswell Survey District, in the Counties of Ellesmere and Halswell, containing approximately 249 hectares, being Rural Sections 1167 and 31239, part Rural Section 3319, part Reserve 3598, including Lots 1 and 2, and Lots 4 to 11, Crown and road reserves; commencing at the north-western corner of Rural Section 11167 on the eastern boundary of Burke’s Drain and road reserve proceeding in an easterly direction along the northern boundary of Rural Section 11167 and Reserve 3598 to the south-eastern corner of Rural Section 11165; then easterly in a straight line crossing Reserve 3598 to the south-eastern corner of Rural Section 11166; then easterly along the northern boundaries of Reserve 3598 and Rural Section 31239 to the north-eastern corner of Rural Section 31239 at the western side of the Christchurch-Akaroa Highway; then southerly, south-easterly and easterly along the said highway and crossing road reserve, the old course of the Halswell River, and road reserve to the south-east of the road reserve along the south bank of the old course of the Halswell River; then south-westerly along the south side of the said road reserve to the eastern side of the road reserve on the eastern bank of the Halswell Canal; then south-easterly in a straight line across the said road reserve and the Halswell Canal to the southern boundary of Reserve 3598 on the western bank of the said Halswell Canal; then generally westerly along the southern boundary of Reserve 3598 and across Matthews Road and continuing along the southern boundary of Reserve 3598 to the south-eastern side of Davidson’s Road; then north-easterly along the south-eastern side of Davidson’s Road to the southern bank of the Halswell River.


Central South Island Fish and Game Region18

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey, mallard and shoveler duck: A maximum total aggregate bag not exceeding 50 birds for all those species including hybrids combined, except that within the aggregate bag a limit of 5 grey duck and 2 shoveler duck must apply.
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of those species

2 May to 26 Jul 2020

6 to 7 and 13 to 14 Feb 2021

50

10

All areas

Area C

NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 25 East of State Highway 1
  2 May to 27 Sep 2020 25 West of State Highway 1
  6 to 7 and 13 to 14 Feb 2021 15 Area B
Pukeko 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 10 All areas
Black swan 2 May to 26 Jul 2020 5 Area B
  2 May to 26 Jul 2020 5 Area A
Bobwhite (Virginian) quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 No limit All areas
California quail 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Chukar (subject to clause 2(4) for this region) 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Cock pheasant 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 4 All areas


2. Definition of Areas

  1. Area A: All that part of the region encompassing Lake Wainono and Wainono Reserve and bounded to the north by Hook Beach Road, the west by State Highway 1, the south by Poingdestres Road and the east by the Pacific Ocean.
  2. Area B: That part of the region not included in Area A.
  3. Area C: That part of the region north of the Opihi River only over agricultural grain crops and green feed paddocks and more than 200 metres from any water body.
  4. Chukar Hunting: Chukar hunting is by permit only. Permits are available on request from the Fish and Game office in Temuka.

3. Shooting Hours

6.45am to 6.30pm (May to September 2020 inclusive).

5.30am to 10.00pm for the mid-summer mallard and paradise shelduck season 6/7 and 13/14 February 2021.

4. Decoy Limit

  1. Lake Wainono and the Wainono Reserve: From opening day to the second Sunday after opening day, no person or persons sharing a stand shall use more than 25 decoys. No decoys to be placed within 50 metres of those placed by the occupant(s) of another stand.
  2. Rest of season: No limit.


Otago Fish And Game Region19

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit Hunting Area
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of those species 2 May to 12 Jul 2020 25 All areas
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 12 Jul 2020 2 All areas
Paradise shelduck 2 May to 30 Aug 2020 12 All areas
  6 Mar to 14 Mar 2021 5 All areas junior season (refer to clause 5(4) for this Region)
Pukeko Closed season 0 All areas
Black swan Closed season 0 Area A
  2 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 Area B
California quail 30 May to 30 Aug 2020 10 All areas
Chukar 30 May to 30 Aug 2020 2 All areas
Cock Pheasant 30 May to 30 Aug 2020 5 All areas
Red-legged partridge Closed season 0 All areas


2. Definition of Areas

  1. Area A: The Clutha River catchment upstream from the Clyde Dam.
  2. Area B: The Clutha River catchment downstream from the Clyde Dam; the Taieri River catchment and all the coastal catchments between Shag Point and The Brothers Point on the east coast of the South Island.

3. Shooting Hours

  1. Area A: 7.00am to 6.45pm
  2. Area B: 7.00am to 6.30pm

4. Decoy Limit

No limit.

5. Special Conditions

  1. No person shall use or cause to be used on any water within the region for the hunting or killing of game, any fixed stand, pontoon, hide, loo or maimai, except within a distance of 10metres from the water margin in non-tidal waters, or from the low water mark in tidal waters, or from the outside edge of the raupo growth where raupo abounds, without the prior consent of the Otago Fish and Game Council.
  2. No person may leave on the hunting ground the bodies or parts of bodies of Black swan or other game shot in the Otago Fish and Game region.
  3. Shooting from a boat is prohibited on the Clutha River from 2 May to 10 May 2020 (refer to First Schedule clause 6).
  4. The summer paradise shelduck season is open from 6 March to 14 March 2021. Firearm licensed Junior game licence holders can hunt independently (under supervision where required) but an adult game bird licence holder must be accompanied by a junior hunter, and hunting is restricted to locations 200 metres or more from open water.

6. Refuges and Closed Game Areas

The following wetland refuges and closed game areas are closed to hunting:

Refuges Location
(1) Lake Hayes Queenstown/Arrowtown highway
(2) Hawksbury Lagoon Waikouaiti – East Otago
(3) Finegand Balclutha
Closed Game Areas Location
(4) Ashley Downs Near Clinton, South Otago
(5) Tomahawk Lagoon Dunedin
(6) Kawarau River outlet from Lake Wakatipu downstream to the Shotover River confluence


Southland Fish And Game Region20

1. Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2020/2021 Season

The respective daily bag limits in the following table apply throughout the Southland Fish and Game Region during the corresponding periods under the heading ‘Season Duration’.

Species Season Duration
(dates inclusive)
Daily Bag Limit
Grey/mallard duck and any hybrid of those species 2 May and 3 May 2020 20
  4 May to 12 Jul 2020 10
NZ shoveler duck 2 May to 12 Jul 2020 2
Paradise shelduck 2 May and 3 May 2020 4 May to 12 July 2020 10 6
Pukeko Closed season 0
Black swan 2 May to 12 Jul 2020 5
California quail 30 May to 30 Aug 2020 5
Cock pheasant 30 May to 30 Aug 2020 5
Chukar Closed season 0


2. Shooting Hours

7.00am to 6.30pm.

3. Decoy Limit

No limit.

4. Special Conditions

  1. Shooting from boats is prohibited during the month of May 2020 on the Mataura, Aparima, Oreti, Waiau and Waimatuku rivers and their navigable tributaries.
  2. Shooting from boats is prohibited below the Dunn’s Road bridge on the Oreti River.
  3. No person shall in or on a public place, or in or on private land without the consent of its occupier, in the Southland Fish and Game Region:
  4. deposit any litter, including shotgun cartridge cases and/or the bodies or parts of the bodies of shot game; or
  5. having deposited any litter, including shotgun cartridge cases and/or the bodies or parts of the bodies of shot game, leave it.

Approved at Wellington this 2nd day of March 2020.

Hon EUGENIE SAGE, Minister of Conservation.

1 Section 19A(1) of the Wildlife Act 1953.

2 Sections 19A(2)(a)(i) and 19A(2)(a)(ii) of the Wildlife Act 1953.

3 Section 72(3A)(e) of the Wildlife Act 1953.

4 Section 17 of the Wildlife Act 1953.

5 Amended notification to section 18(1)(c)(iii) and (v) of the Wildlife Act 1953 as authorised by the Minister of Conservation under section 18(1) of that Act.

6 Section 18(1)(f)(vi) of the Wildlife Act 1953.

7 Section 18(1)(f)(v) of the Wildlife Act 1953.

8 Reference to description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

9 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861, as amended by New Zealand Gazette, 29 August 1991, No. 129, page 2786, and as further amended by the New Zealand Gazette, 28 January 1993, No. 11, page 192.

10 Section 17 of the Wildlife Act 1953.

11 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

12 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

13 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

14 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

15 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

16 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

17 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861, as amended by the New Zealand Gazette, 3 September 1992, No. 141, page 2958.

18 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861, as amended by New Zealand Gazette, 29 August 1991, No. 129, page 2786, and as further amended by the New Zealand Gazette, 3 September 1992, No. 141, page 2958.

19 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

20 Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.