Fish & Game New Zealand is working on behalf of anglers and game bird hunters to secure changes to protect fishing and hunting, now and for future generations, in the Resource Management Act review. 

Fish & Game made a submission on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill which sets out the specific changes needed to ensure the new laws work as intended — protecting the habitats, waterways, and public access that anglers and hunters rely on.

“We support replacing the RMA and we want this reform to succeed,” chief executive Corina Jordan said.

“But the bills as drafted make it much harder for trout, salmon, and other valued introduced species to be protected. They define ecosystem health solely around indigenous species, which means environmental limits can’t be set with trout and salmon habitat in mind.

“While Fish & Game has been advocating for a reduction in bureaucracy and costs when restoring wetlands, we are concerned that the ability to protect wetlands has been reduced in the bills. We want to see a definition of wetlands and clear mechanisms to protect them - we’ve already lost more than 90 percent of what we once had.

“Access is a priority for our licence holders, losing access to a river is losing something we all have a right to enjoy. Access needs to be protected and improved.

“Ultimately, these proposed reforms as they currently stand mean an uncertain future for anglers and hunters.”

Fish & Game’s detailed submission on the reforms is available here.

The submission sets out the specific changes needed to ensure the new laws work as intended - protecting the habitats, waterways, and public access that anglers and hunters rely on.

Fish & Game’s submission calls for amendments to ensure:

• The goals framework explicitly includes recreation, fishing, hunting, public access, and habitat for trout, salmon, and game birds
• The ecosystem health definition is expanded to include valued introduced species so environmental limits can protect trout and salmon habitat
• Wetlands are clearly defined and explicitly protected, while restoration pathways are enabled
• Esplanade reserve provisions are strengthened and the 20-metre minimum width retained
• Water Conservation Orders and Sports Fish and Game Management Plans are recognised in planning and consenting decisions

Recreational fishing and game bird hunting contribute to regional economies and are a cornerstone of recreation, wellbeing, and connection to place for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.

“This submission reflects three decades of clear mandate from our licence holders: habitat, water quality, and access are what matter most. We are asking Parliament to listen to them.”