Tuesday, 25 July 2023 13:25

Fishing and hunting policy 'positive'

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fish & Game NZ chief executive Corina Jordan Fish & Game NZ chief executive Corina Jordan

The National Party’s recently announced hunting and fishing policy is getting support from hunters and fishermen.

The policy, announced earlier this week, will see National guarantee access to public lands for hunters and anglers if they’re elected.

Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan says Kiwis from all walks of life value access to New Zealand’s natural environment and fish and game resources.

“Angling and hunting are deeply embedded into the fabric of our rural communities, towns and cities across the country,” says Jordan.

She says that mental health and wellbeing as well as the opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family outdoors are key reasons why New Zealanders and international visitors hunt and fish.

“Conservation, pest management, and the ability to feed their whānau are also major drawcards. That’s why we support any initiative that acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of anglers and hunters.”

Meanwhile, Gwyn Thurlow, chief executive of the New Zealand Deerstalker’s Association (NZDA), says the policy is a major step forward for the rights of hunters and the management of game animals in New Zealand.

“Hunting and fishing are not merely pastimes,” Thurlow says. “They represent integral components of our nation’s cultural heritage.”

“Hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have grown up cherishing their right to hunt and fish, and through responsible participation, they not only forge a lifelong bond with the environment but also actively contribute to the conservation of our native species,” he says.

“National's proposal to establish a dedicated Minister for Hunting and Fishing demonstrates the party’s understanding of the profound impact that these activities have on our society,” says Thurlow. “This dedicated role will serve as a strong representative for hunters and fishers and ensure the sector’s voice will be heard at the Cabinet table.”

He says NZDA is also pleased to see National’s commitment to formally classifying deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs as game animals.

“The Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020 has determined these are valued introduced species alongside others such as trout and salmon. Unfortunately, there is a high degree of inconsistency across legislation and planning documents, which not only disregards the value of these animals to New Zealanders, but hinders their management,” Thurlow says.

“National’s policy, if implemented, can go a long way to preserving our hunting and fishing heritage, while helping to manage game animal numbers and safeguard the future of our native species,” he says. “This would leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

More like this

National hunting and shooting museum opens

Recently, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) celebrated a milestone in the opening of the National Hunting and Shooting Museum and Reference Library at Deerstalkers House, Wellington.

'Give hunters a say on conservation' - ACT

ACT Party conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton is calling for legislation that would ensure hunters and fishers have representation on the Conservation Authority.

Competition culls 13,000 goats

A collaborative effort between hunters, landowners, and conservation organisations has seen the successful removal of 12,935 wild goats during the second annual National Competition.

Featured

Farmer input needed to combat FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on livestock farmers to take part in a survey measuring the financial impact of facial eczema (FE).

Editorial: Escaping Trump's wrath

OPINION: President Donald Trump's bizarre hard line approach to the world of what was once 'rules-based trade' has got New Zealand government officials, politicians and exporters on tenterhooks.

Wool pellets to boost gardens

With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.

National

Machinery & Products

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the…

New seed drill tech coming

Incorporating Vaderstad's latest seed drill technology, the Proceed V 24, is said to improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Waffle man

OPINION: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sometimes can't escape his own corporate instinct for evasion, and in what should have been…

Banks on notice

OPINION: Shane 'Matua' Jones, crusader against all things woke, including "woke banks", couldn't have scripted it better when his NZ…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter