Nelson / Marlborough > Hunting Regulations

Gamebird Hunting Regulations and Guides are updated annually. Please be aware at all times of local and national regulations to ensure the safety of others and the sustainability of Gamebird Hunting.

Special Seasons Calendar

2.1 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.

2.2 Pheasant Area

The area west of the Bryant Range, north of State Highway 63 from St Arnaud to Kawatiri Junction, and east of the Hope and Arthur Ranges.

2.3 Motueka River Bermland

The area adjacent to the Motueka River downstream of the Alexandra 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.

2.4 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).

2.5 East Coast/Kaikoura Area

The area to the east of the Awatere Valley/Molesworth Road and the Redwood Pass Road.

6.30am to 6.30pm during May, then 6.45am to 6.15pm until the end of Dabbling Duck Season 2008. Canada geese may be hunted or killed 24 hours per day after 27 July 2008.

No limit.

5.1 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.

5.2 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.

5.3 Certain farmers who hunt their own property are allowed under section 19 of the Wildlife Act 1953 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 Office to place your address on the mailing list.

6.1 Nelson & Tasman Bays Game Preserve Ltd: That fenced and sign posted area reading Nelson & Tasman Bays Game Preserve Ltd, located on the Tadmor Valley Road, Tapawera, being 102 hectares Sections 16, 31 and 45 Block XVI Wangapeka Survey District and Lot 2 DP 333592 Computer Freehold Register 137721.

HUNTING IN NELSON/MARLBOROUGH

Golden Bay

Golden Bay is under utilized as a game hunting area and is well worth a visit. Although traditionally a Grey Duck stronghold, mallard are abundant particularly in the coastal areas of the Aorere and Takaka Valleys. Black Swan are in high numbers around Farewell Spit and good numbers are also found in Westhaven. Canada geese also frequent the western coast from Farewell Spit to Lake Otuhie. On modified and developed country Paradise Shelduck can be abundant. Quail concentrate around the edge of broken bush and shrub land margins in the warm dryer country, especially towards the east of Golden Bay and the fringes of Abel Tasman National Park. Pukeko abound in wetlands adjoining developed pasture, particularly in the lower Aorere Valley.

Nelson/Motueka

Populations of Mallard Duck tend to exist in the coastal estuaries and lower country with farm ponds being productive at times. Paradise Shelduck can be found throughout the region in moderate numbers. Good populations of Quail exist on forest margins, recently felled forest areas and rough land throughout the district, although the hunting is often challenging due to thick scrub that makes any follow-up (after the initial flush) very difficult. Good populations of Pukeko exist in the Moutere/Mapua areas and as a result of increases in the population and crop depredation complaints in the past few years the “Pukeko Season” has extended to alleviate the problems. Limited numbers of Pheasant can be found scattered throughout orchards, foothills, forestry edges and river bermlands, particularly the Waimea, lower Motueka/Riwaka plains and the Moutere.

Buller/Murchison/Maruia

The Buller/Murchison/Maruia area contains high populations of Grey duck. Paradise Shelduck can often be found feeding on newly sown pasture. Numbers of Canada Geese are increasing in the Maruia Valley and provide opportunities for those who are prepare to travel.

Marlborough Low Country

The many rivers and streams, flats, estuaries, wetlands, and Marlborough Sounds offer excellent hunting opportunities. Mallard duck are the dominant species with lower numbers of native ducks depending on location. Higher numbers of Grey ducks are found in the Marlborough Sounds and Pelorus Valley but please take care to identify your target because the area is home to an abundant Grey teal population. Canada Geese can be hunted in the Wairau Lagoons and mid to upper Wairau River. Black Swans occur in moderate numbers in estuarine reaches. Quail can be found scattered throughout most riverbeds, notably the Awatere, Wairau (upstream of Renwick) and Waihopai Catchments, where broken cover and scrub-lands exist. Most Quail hunting requires permission to hunt private land and this is usually granted to responsible and well-presented hunters.

Kaikoura and Marlborough High Country

These areas offer some of the country’s prime Canada Goose and Quail hunting. The East Coast has localised populations of Mallard and further inland, Grey duck. There can be high numbers of Paradise Shelduck particularly on the East Coast and inland Kaikoura.

ORGANISED HUNTS

We organise three Canada Goose hunts each year in the Marlborough high country. They are usually held during the first weekend in March, Queen’s Birthday Weekend and Labour Weekend and are very popular for local hunters as well as hunters from other regions. Organised Paradise Shelduck, Pukeko and Swan shoots may also occur during the year. Hunters can register their interest in all organised hunts at their local Fish and Game Office.

PHEASANT HUNTERS

Hunters who wish to access the Waimea Bermlands can obtain a map showing all the lessee boundaries and contact details from our office in Nelson.

QUAIL HUNTERS

Hunters please note that quail hunting is not permitted within the Motueka or Waimea Bermlands until the pheasant season opens. Access permission and permits are required from forestry companies. For more information contact the Richmond Office.

HUNTING ON THE WAIRAU AND WAIMEA BERMLANDS

Contact the Blenheim office for detailed information on areas in the Wairau which are available or unavailable to hunt by agreement with the Marlborough District Council. Hunters wanting to access the Waimea berms must contact the Richmond office prior to hunting for advice on which areas are available, and information on other issues that may be of importance.

PARA SWAMP GAME MANAGEMENT AREAS

The Council now manages approximately 80% of the swamp. Hunters are invited to make an application to hunt in this area on a ballot form that is available from the Blenheim office. Para swamp is being developed to improve game bird hunting opportunities and new sites are becoming available with time.

HUNTING IN THE WAIRAU LAGOONS

The Wairau Lagoons cover about 2000 hectares of saline marsh and mud-flats between the Wairau River mouth and the Vernon Estate to the south. During the autumn and winter months the predominant species in the lagoon are game birds. Protected species will also be seen in the lagoons during the open game season. The protected Grey Teal population in particular is increasing and hunters must take care to positively identify their target. Besides the obvious main channels in the northern part of the lagoons, and Te Aropipi Channel, which runs along inside the seaward Boulder Bank, few parts of the lagoons exceed a metre in depth. The mud in some areas can however be very deep and care should be taken in unfamiliar areas. Access can be gained via the end of Hardings Road. Duck-shooter access is off Redwood Pass Road, or from the Wairau Bar using a boat. The water is brackish and shotguns require careful cleaning. Fresh water should be taken for gun dogs. The former wildlife refuge status over Big Lagoon has been lifted to provide additional hunting opportunities. The retention of this new hunting area will depend on the behaviour of hunters and adherence to the following code of conduct;

• Fixed shooting stands above mean high water springs only.

• Moored floating stands 200 metres from any other marked stand.

• No plant material likely to drop viable seed to be used for maimai cover.

• No disturbance to archaeological sites, artefacts or native plants.

• No litter including spent cartridges.

• Wheeled vehicles restricted to formed roads.

• All boats restricted to five knots.

• No dogs other than trained retrievers during the open game season.

A permit from DOC is required to hunt this area. An access and information pamphlet is available from either office.

HUNTING ACCESS

The Nelson/Marlborough Council has jurisdiction or ownership over a number of reserves and lands where game bird hunting takes place. Land administered by Department of Conservation and District Councils requires hunters to gain permission and permits before they hunt. Forestry companies also require hunters to obtain permission and they provide permits to enter their forests to hunt during the game bird season. Forests are closed to hunting during weekdays and the spring and summer months. Due to security problems, some companies require refundable key deposits. Permission to hunt on all private land must be obtained from the landowner prior to hunting and this is usually granted to responsible hunters.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS FOR PERMITS

Marlborough District Council, Tasman District Council, Department of Conservation, Rayonier, P F Olsen & Company, Carter Holt Harvey Forests, Nelson Pines, Weyerhaeuser NZ Inc.

To download the latest national regulations, please click on North Island or South Island