Fish & Game New Zealand

Council Functions

The role of the New Zealand Fish & Game Council, in consultation with Fish & Game regional councils, is to develop national policies for managing and conserving sports fish and game.

The Council's role also extends to promoting the effective implementation of general policies, which may relate to sports fish and game, established under the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Conservation Act.

A key role of the New Zealand Council relates to the budget round, and the development of a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation on the freshwater fishing and game bird hunting licence fees each year.  Another key role is the New Zealand Council’s responsibility to audit the operations of the Fish & Game regional councils.  Please read on for a full list of the New Zealand Fish & Game Council's functions and powers.

Key Functions of the New Zealand Fish & Game Council:

  • Advise the minister on issues relating to sports fish and game
  • Co-ordinate the preparation and recommendation, for the Minister’s approval, of Anglers Notices and the Game Season Gazette notice; advise the Minister in relation to such matters and to have the notices gazetted
  • Develop research programmes promoting the management of sports fish and game, with the Department of Conservation
  • Oversee the Fish & Game New Zealand electoral system
  • Recommend fishing and hunting licence fees to the Minister, after having regard to the views and recommendations of Fish & Game Councils
  • Recommend fees for hunting and fishing guide licences to the Minister, after having regard to the views and recommendations of Fish & Game Councils
  • Determine, in consultation with Fish & Game Councils, the re-distribution of licence income to fund the operations of Fish & Game New Zealand
  • Advocate generally, and in any statutory planning process, the interests of Fish & Game NZ, and, with its agreement, any regional Fish &Game Council in the management of sports fish and game, and habitats
  • Liaise with the New Zealand Conservation Authority
  • Audit the operations of Fish & Game Councils
  • Recommend to the Minister, after having regard to the views and recommendations (if any) of Fish & Game Councils and the NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust Board, an appropriate fee in respect of any game bird habitat stamp and the form of such stamps
  • Sell or arrange the sale of game bird habitat stamps and associated products
  • Such other sports fish and game functions as the Minister may require
  • Co-ordinate the management, enhancement of sports fish and game by regional Fish & Game Councils (additional function required by the Minister of Conservation pursuant to Section 26C(1)(k).

Powers of the New Zealand Council:

  • All such powers as are reasonably necessary or expedient to enable it to carry out its functions
  • Rules for the conduct of its business and financial requirements
  • Employ staff
  • Spend money received by it from any source arising from the Conservation Act for the purposes of carrying out its functions
  • Be entitled to appear before courts and tribunals in New Zealand and be heard on matters affecting or relating to the Council’s functions
  • Invest funds
  • Borrow or renew loans with the prior approval of the Minister
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