Fish & Game welcome access charter

Fish & Game welcomes a new charter to improve access to public conservation land for fishing and hunting.

Minister for Hunting and Fishing Todd McClay launched the charter at the Sika Show at Mystery Creek in Hamilton this morning. The charter establishes guiding principles for the Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide clear and transparent decisions on public conservation land access that make it easier for kiwis to go hunting and fishing, supported by Fish & Game.

“The ability to get out in nature and catch a fish or hunt a duck for the table is part of a way of life for many New Zealanders, but constraints on access have made that challenging,” says Corina Jordan, chief executive of Fish & Game New Zealand.

“We know access is the number one issue for our anglers and hunters and we are proud to be able to be involved in supporting this work. We are working with our hunting sector leaders, the Department of Conservation, Herenga ā Nuku, LINZ, and others to make it easier and clearer for people to know where they can go and how to go about it.

“Fish & Game maintain over 3000 access points for anglers and game bird hunters around the country. We have done this for over 30 years and work with public and private landowners to ensure people can get out and enjoy this resource. We are working to support mobility impaired people be able to fish and hunt and have created a wheelchair maimai, collaborated on fishing platforms and have maps to show good spots they can use.

“This charter is an important tool in the kit to ensure that New Zealanders can continue to get out in nature, enjoy our hunting and fishing heritage, and enjoy the benefits being out in nature provides.

“At Fish & Game, we know that what’s good for anglers and hunters is good for all New Zealanders – clean and healthy waterways and thriving wetlands, sustainable sources of wild kai, and access to the great outdoors all contribute to our wellbeing,” says Jordan.

“Fish & Game’s vision is a New Zealand where freshwater habitats and species flourish, where hunting and fishing traditions thrive and all Kiwis enjoy access to sustainable wild fish and game resources.”

 

Caption: Minister McClay and Corina Jordan at today’s launch