Election 2026: Freshwater Protection at Centre of Fish & Game Manifesto

The organisation calls on all political parties to make firm commitments to protect fishing, game bird hunting and the freshwater habitats they depend on before New Zealanders head to the polls in November.

The manifesto sets out five priorities for the election year:

• Explicit recognition of fishing and hunting and game birds and sports fish in legislation;
• Improved access to rivers, lakes and wetlands;
• Stronger protection for rivers and lakes;
• Better protection for wetlands;
• Maintaining a strong and effective Fish & Game organisation.

Corina Jordan, chief executive of Fish & Game, says the organisation's 175,000 licence holders represent a significant constituency to the size of Hamilton.

“Fishing contributes around $138 million annually to regional economies, with anglers spending on accommodation, transport, tackle and other related purchases," Jordan says.

“This is an election year, and we are asking every political party to make genuine commitments to anglers, game bird hunters and the freshwater environments they care about.

“Our licence holders are everyday New Zealanders from every walk of life and every corner of the country and their views are important and should be taken into account.”

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Fish & Game is calling on all parties to commit to legislative settings for freshwater that strengthen rather than weaken protections for important fish and game bird habitats.

Among the manifesto’s specific calls is explicit recognition of valued introduced species, including trout, salmon and game birds, alongside indigenous species in legislation, as well as a requirement that Fish & Game be consulted on policy, standards and plans that affect freshwater and wetland habitats.

“We want binding commitments from parties that protections sports fish, game birds and their habitats rely on will be maintained and strengthened, regardless of who forms the next government," Jordan concludes.