Hunting Licence Info
Fish & Game's game bird hunting licences are valid for use throughout New Zealand (except in the Chatham Islands).
Your licence is a permit to hunt game birds in line with the regulations governing the Fish & Game New Zealand region you're hunting in. It does not grant or imply any right of access over land. If you want to walk over private land, please first get the land occupier's permission.
You must buy and sign your licence before you go hunting. You must then carry your licence with you whenever you're hunting or carrying assembled hunting gear.
Licences are not upgradable, exchangeable or refundable.
Report lost or stolen licences to your local Fish and Game office and they'll issue you with a replacement.
You can view below more information on game bird hunting licence categories, terms and conditions and hunting licence FAQs.
Hunting Licence Costs:
WHOLE SEASON:
Adult $93.00
Junior $21.00
Child free, with $3 Habitat Stamp fee
DAY (valid from 16 May 2017):
Adult $21.00
Junior $7.00
Hunting Licence Categories:
Age Categories:
Adult 18 years and over on 7 May 2017
Junior 12-17 years on 7 May 2017
Child 11 years and under on 7 May 2017
Whole Season Licence:
Entitles the holder to hunt or kill game at any time during the open season for game in: (a) the region for which the licence is issued; and (b) all other regions
Day licence:
Entitles the holder to hunt or kill game after the second Sunday of the new season opening, during 1 day in the open season for game inclusive in: (a) the region for which the licence is issued; and (b) all other regions
Buying Your Licence:
You can purchase your licence in several ways:
- Online: by visiting our online licence system
- By phone: Call our freephone licence number 0800 LICENCE (0800 542 362) during business hours ($5 booking fee)
- In person: Visit any Fish & Game office or regional licence agent (view your local region's pages using the map above to find address and contact details of local licence agents)
View our hunting frequently asked questions here.
Yes. The rules allow for upland game hunting (pheasant, quail) with lead. The reason behind this is that waterfowl are susceptible to lead poisoning through uptake of lead pellets - with lead normally being concentrated in or around shallow ponds, wetlands, and on the edges of deeper ponds.
For upland game, the spread of lead shot is much more diffuse and spent pellets are distributed over a wider area - making them less likely to be picked up by birds. Quail also select for a smaller grit size than most pellets used - therefore are less likely to be affected.
No. The rules will relate to the possession of lead for waterfowl hunting - so you can't chop and change in the field. If you are going duck hunting it's non-toxic shot eg steel shot, if you are hunting pheasants you can use either steel (or other non-toxic shot) or lead shot, if you are hunting both ducks and pheasant then its non-toxic only. However, you cannot simply say you were hunting pheasant.
It will be up to you to show the ranger that you are indeed hunting pheasant - no duck callers, no ducks hanging off your belt, etc and if you're sitting in the maimai with full camo gear... "I'm waiting for pheasants to fly past" won't wash either.
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Non toxic shot will be required within 200m of water bodies over 3 metres wide of all PUBLIC AREAS (such as DoC land and lakes, Fish & Game areas, harbours) and all PRIVATE LAND (all wetlands and ponds).
All hunters are required to use non-toxic shot - this includes landowners/occupiers who can also hunt on their own land.
In this section:
General Hunting Licence Info
Fish & Game's game bird hunting licences are valid for use throughout New Zealand (except in the Chatham Islands). GB Licence...
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