North Canterbury > 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 Area A (Paradise Shelduck and Black Swan): That area east of State Highway 1 from Rakaia River in the south to Woodend Beach Road in the north.

2.2 Area B (Paradise Shelduck and Black Swan): The remainder of the region excluding “Area A”.

3.1 Canada goose

i. 3 May to 31 May 2008 6.30am to 6.30pm

ii. 1 June 2008 to 19 April 2009 24 hours per day during the specified season

3.2 Paradise Shelduck

i. 3 May to 28 September 2008 6.30am to 6.30pm during the specified season

ii. 31 January to 29 March 2009 5.00am to 10.00pm during the specified season

3.3 All other game birds 6.30am to 6.30pm during the specified season

No limit.

No person shall wilfully leave on the hunting ground the bodies or parts of bodies of any gamebird shot in this region.

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.

6.1 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 as further defined by erection of white painted posts. 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.

6.2 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.

6.3 Ahuriri Lagoon: All that area of land in the Canterbury Land District, situated in Block X Halswell Survey District, in the Counties 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 Main 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.

HUNTING IN NORTH CANTERBURY

The North Canterbury Fish & Game Region stretches from the south bank of the Rakaia to the headwaters of the Waiau, from the Southern Alps to the sea. Habitats range from coastal dunes, through to shallow wetlands and wide riverbeds, high country lakes and mountain valleys. Mallard ducks are the most abundant and popular game bird in the region. They have adapted well to the developed agricultural land which dominates the North Canterbury landscape. The paradise shelduck is the next most popular species among hunters in the region and like the mallard, also does well in developed land. The North Canterbury region offers the best Canada goose hunting in the country. Large numbers of this premier game bird are available in both high and low country environments. The region also sustains significant black swan populations, most of which are found on coastal wetlands. Grey and Shoveler ducks are present in the region but do not favour open, developed land and tend to be concentrated onto wet, swampy areas.

Upland game birds are less prolific than in some other Fish & Game regions but reasonable California quail numbers are present in the middle reaches of the braided riverbeds. Small pheasant populations are also present, but are not sufficiently abundant to withstand heavy hunting pressure. There will again be a short open season (7^th and 8^th June) for cock pheasant hunting in the North Canterbury region in 2008.

The North Canterbury region is a mix of public and private land. Most of the public land is administered by the Canterbury Regional Council and the Department of Conservation. Either of these organisations, or Fish & Game North Canterbury, will be able to assist you with any access inquiries relating to public land. Fish & Game North Canterbury has a north-eastern corner of Rural Section 31239 at the western side of the Christchurch-Akaroa Main 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. “Gamebird Hunter Access” publication available to assist hunters with access issues and it is available from the Fish & Game office or from major game licence outlets.

A number of pheasant hunters appear to be confused about the exact location of the boundary between the North Canterbury and Central South Island Fish & Game Regions. This is a problem because there is a longer open season and higher daily limit bag for pheasant hunting in the Central South Island region. A number of hunters have been caught in breach of the North Canterbury rules, thinking they were hunting in the Central South Island region. To set the record straight the North Canterbury boundary to Central; South Region is Acton Road which runs from Rakaia township east to the sea.

THE MAJOR HUNTING AREAS

The following is a brief summary of the major hunting areas in the North Canterbury region:

Lake Ellesmere

Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), a wetland of national and international importance, is the major game bird hunting area in the region. Mallard ducks are the most popular quarry during the traditional hunting months of May and June, but good numbers of Canada goose, Black swan and Shoveler duck are also present. It is important to note that Lake Ellesmere is home to a large Grey teal population which are protected wildlife. It is important that hunters take time to properly identify their target, especially during periods of low light. The best time to hunt Ellesmere is during a strong southerly wind. Birds which usually roost in the middle of the lake are pushed off by the rough conditions and tend to fly to the downwind shore. The lake can also shoot well during strong northwest or northeast winds; once again the downwind shoreline is the best place to hunt. Lake Ellesmere has a good number of maimais located around the shoreline and most Ellesmere regulars have a maimai of their own. However any hunter is free to use any maimai situated on public land which has not been occupied by 7:30am in the morning. This is a great option for new or inexperienced hunters who want a taste of open water gamebird hunting without having to commit the time and expense of having a maimai of their own. Another highlight of the shooting calendar on Lake Ellesmere is the special goose season in February and March. There is no doubt that the best goose hunting in New Zealand is on offer at this time with large numbers of young, and less-educated Canada geese migrating to Lake Ellesmere and the surrounding farm land. Fish & Game North Canterbury has stocks of Canada goose decoys available for hire.

Please note that a permit is required to hunt on DOC managed land on the shores of Lake Ellesmere. These are available at the DOC office in Victoria Street (03) 371 3706.

Maimais on Lake Ellesmere

The construction of permanent maimais on public land at Lake Ellesmere is subject to a number of conditions. Hunters need to obtain written permission from Fish & Game prior to commencing work on a new maimai. Hunters with existing maimais which have yet to be tagged should contact Steve Terry at the Fish & Game office. There is no charge for these services.

The Braided Riverbeds

The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau Rivers are also popular hunting locations. Many of these rivers have large tidal lagoons which provide good hunting opportunities. Further upriver ducks and geese can be targeted using traditional decoy setups in open water areas. Good duck shooting is also available in places by flush shooting small springs and ponds, which are often found on the margins of major riverbeds. Licensed game bird hunters are able to hunt in most of the North Canterbury braided riverbeds except parts where they lie close to population centres. In some places “No Shooting” signs are in place but the Canterbury Regional Council has assured Fish & Game staff that this relates to rabbit shooters only. Hunters need to be aware of the rabbit poisoning operations in Canterbury riverbeds. While poison operations are of little threat to humans or to the safe consumption of any game birds killed, it is of concern to hunter’s dogs which are very susceptible to 1080 poison. Any area which has been subject to recent poison operations will be signposted at all public access points. Hunters are advised to keep their dogs away from such areas until the following spring.

High Country Lakes

Some of the region’s high country lakes offer good game bird hunting opportunities. In some cases hunting can be pursued without the owner’s permission but it is highly recommended that you put in the effort and talk to the farmer concerned in advance. Please note that Lakes Grasmere and Pearson are wildlife refuges and that all hunting is prohibited.

Special Paradise Shelduck Season

Once again this season there will be a Paradise shelduck season during February and March in Area B. This will provide additional opportunities for Goose and Duck hunters alike.

Private Land

Private land also offers good game bird hunting opportunities but the owner’s permission needs to be sought in advance. The Paradise shelduck is a species for which most hunting opportunities lie on private land particularly in the northern and western parts of the region. Most farmers will be happy for you to hunt Paradise Shelduck on their land so long as you ask first!

There are two further hunting areas in the region which are worthy of further mention. The Boggy Creek Game Bird Hunting Area, on the western shore of Lake Ellesmere, is owned by Fish & Game, North Canterbury. Annual ballots are held for shooting stands in this area and are open to all licensed hunters.

The Coutts Island Young Hunter Area near Belfast, is open to all licensed hunters. Once again stands are allocated by ballot. Please direct any inquiries to the Fish & Game office.

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