The Wildlife Act 1953 defines species as wildlife declared to be game birds.

The Wildlife Act 1953 schedule 1 defines the following species as wildlife declared to be game birds:

  • Black swan (Cygnus atratus) (except on Chatham Islands)
  • Chukar (Alectoris chukar): except on Chatham Islands
  • Duck:
    • Australasian shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)
    • Grey duck (Anas superciliosa) and any cross of that species with any other species, variety, or kind of duck (except on Chatham Islands).
    • Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and any cross of that species with any other species, variety, or kind of duck (except on Chatham Islands).
    • Paradise shelduck (Tadorna variegata)
  • Partridge:
    • Grey partridge (Perdix perdix): except on Chatham Islands
    • Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa rufa): except on Chatham Islands
  • Pheasant:
    • Any bird, not being a domestic bird, of the genus Phasianus and any cross of any such bird with any other species, variety, or kind of pheasant: except on Chatham Islands
  • Pukeko: (Porphyrio melanotus) (except on Chatham Islands).
  • Quail:
    • Bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus): except on Chatham Islands
    • Brown quail (Coturnix ypsilophora): except on Chatham Islands
    • California quail (Callipepla californica): except on Chatham Islands