Reform to ‘modernise' Fish & Game organisation

Southern Fish & Game councils say they broadly welcome proposed improvements to the organisation's operations, signalled by the government yesterday.
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has announced proposed new legislation governing Fish & Game, aimed at streamlining and compartmentalising the roles of the national body and its 12 regional councils.
He said it would "modernise and strengthen" the organisation.
"I want to make it as easy as possible for Kiwis to go hunting and fishing in New Zealand. This long overdue reform to Fish & Game will refocus the organisation on its core job of managing our sport fishing and game bird resources and implement a more professional approach to national decision making," he said.
Key changes would include clarifying council and national body roles; shifting to a nationalised fee collection and funding distribution system; and voting changes.
The proposed new act would also "require Fish & Game councils to better consider the interests of other stakeholders such as farmers and the aviation sector in decision-making".
New national advocacy policy would restrict court proceedings to within that policy.
Southland Fish & Game chairman David MacGregor said the minister had provided further clarification on that last point during interviews yesterday.
"The minister has clarified that Fish & Game can still advocate for the health of waterways where it improves fisheries, which is entirely consistent with Southland Fish & Game's involvement in the Water & Land Plan, where the court found there were significant adverse effects on aquatic life," he said.
Federated Farmers Southland clashed with Fish & Game Southland last year following a Court of Appeal decision regarding effluent discharge Federated Farmers claimed would prevent them farming.
"Fish & Game has never taken frivolous court action, and funding for much of the Southland case came from the New Zealand council, so I can't see our advocacy function changing," Mr MacGregor said.
Otago Fish & Game Council chairman Adrian McIntyre said he welcomed modernisation.
"Making it easier for New Zealanders to go hunting and fishing is something we all support, and it's encouraging to see a proposal that retains strong regional decision-making — close to where the action is happening.
"Regional autonomy is essential to what we do. It's great to see that the minister has preserved the ability of regional councils to make decisions based on local knowledge and direct engagement with hunters, anglers, landowners, iwi and scientists. That connection is one of our biggest strengths."
A Federated Farmers spokesman said his organisation remained concerned about Fish & Game's political advocacy functions.
"We're welcoming a review of Fish & Game's advocacy function, something Federated Farmers have been vocal in calling for, but we have serious concerns changes won't go far enough."
richard.davison@odt.co.nz

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