Southland Fish & Game

05/05/2026

Over the opening weekend of the three-month-long duck hunting season in Southland, Police and Southland Fish & Game conducted a joint compliance operation ensuring hunters were abiding by the law, and rules and regulations.

In the first weekend of May, Operation Daffy saw three teams, consisting of one Southland Fish and Game Ranger and one Police officer, visit a large number of ponds and maimai across the Western Southland, Eastern Southland, and Invercargill areas.

Police ensured hunters were abiding by the Arms Act 1983, including breath alcohol levels, while Southland Fish and Game rangers focused on compliance of the gamebird regulations under the Wildlife Act 1953, such as relevant licences and the use of non-toxic shots.

Senior Sergeant Peter Graham says Police are pleased that, across the board, compliance levels were high. Three fi****ms were seized by Southland Fish and Game for shooting without a gamebird hunting licence.

"Officers reported the majority of hunters were abided by the laws, and the hunters were pleased to see Police and rangers completing compliance checks.

"We commend them for their good fi****ms handling and safety procedures throughout the weekend, and we hope we see this continue," says Senior Sergeant Graham.

There were no related incidents or offences reported to Police.

Southland Fish and Game Senior Ranger Josh Tabak says smiles were aplenty as Rangers made their way around Southland this opening weekend, despite the blue skies and little wind favouring the ducks.

"A silver lining of the warm and settled weather is that it makes the day far more enjoyable for our youngest hunters, who may just be starting out, and gives them a real chance to bag a duck or two and enjoy the day with family and friends.

"We have been really encouraged by the high levels of compliance this year, and it’s great to see. This is what it’s all about - hunters enjoying the occasion and doing things the right way."

23/04/2026

Over the seasons, many Southland hunters will have received a phone call from Fish & Game staff asking where and when you have been hunting, how long you were out, and what you harvested. This information is collected as part of our hunter harvest survey and is highly valuable, allowing us to monitor both gamebird harvest and hunting effort across the region.

If you are interested in seeing the results from the surveys, check out the 2025 South Island Hunter Harvest Report (link below). It includes insights into how many days are spent hunting in each region, estimated harvest totals, and broader harvest trends.

We will be making more calls during the 2026 season, and would really appreciate your support by taking a few minutes to share the results from your hunts. It all helps build a clearer picture and supports effective management of our gamebird resources.

https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/assets/DMS/About-us/FG-Regional-Councils/North-Canterbury/Council-Downloads/2025/2025_SIHunterHarvestReport_final.pdf

22/04/2026

MALLAND MONITORING RESULTS - Our annual mallard counts are in, and the results point to a fairly typical Southland season ahead.

The 2026 count is in line with the long-term average, being neither particularly high nor low. While it might not be a standout year, the good news is that a “typical” season still means plenty of opportunity to get out there, enjoy the outdoors, and put a few birds on the table.

During the counts, we did see some variation across the region, with certain areas holding more birds than others. Notable concentrations were observed along the lower Aparima near Thornbury, and sections of the Mataura River near Ardlussa and Seaward Downs. Several wetlands around Longridge, Grove Bush, and Mataura also held good numbers.

All in all, things are shaping up nicely for the season ahead. Start making your plans, check your gear, and good luck for opening day!

07/04/2026

Lower Waiau anglers and other river users, please be advised of the increased flows scheduled from 1pm tomorrow (Thursday 7 April).

Given it is the roar, many big game hunters may also be using and/or crossing the river at the moment. So, Southland NZDA members also take note.

Please factor this into your plans and play it safe.

📢Water users - take care on the Lower Waiau River from 1pm Thursday📢

We're releasing a flushing flow from the Manapōuri Lake Control Structure to the Lower Waiau River on Thursday and Friday this week, starting around 1pm Thursday 9 April.

It’s part of Meridian’s consent conditions to assist in managing nuisance algae (periphyton) in the Lower Waiau River. The release is expected to reach a peak of around 150 cumecs before reducing back to minimum flows around 7pm Friday. The rate of increase and decrease of flows during this period will be capped at 20 cumecs per hour.

We encourage everyone using the river to take extra care during this time. We also remind river users that it will take time after the flows have been reduced for the river to come back to normal.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou - thank you!

19/03/2026

Check out this nice footage of mayflies on the lower Mataura, which was taken earlier this week. Great to see.

18/03/2026

Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the man who is missing.

As a way of showing respect, we encourage you to adhere to the rāhui.

For those unfamiliar with rāhui...
In te ao Māori, death carries an element of tapu. When a death occurs, a rāhui can be placed over that particular area. The rāhui recognises the tapu associated with the death and allows time for it to dissipate naturally through the cleansing of the environment.

Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka

Declaration of rāhui: Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka wish to advise a rāhui restriction on fishing and recreational activities has been placed on Lake Manapōuri, in a circular area including Frasers Beach and Supply Bay, as well as the nearby section of the Waiau River (see map). This rāhui will be in place until 2 April 2026. We sincerely ask that you respect this rāhui.

10/03/2026

We're excited to be working with Upper Mataura Fishing Connect and Southland Rural Support Trust to put this event on in the beautiful Nokomai gorge this Sunday.

All welcome, but please register for catering purposes.

We are excited to be teaming up again with Upper Mataura Fishing Connect to bring you Fishing for Farmers in March.

The day is targeted at farmers, growers and their families. Providing the opportunity to get off farm and try something new.

📅 Sunday 15th March 2026
⌚️10.00am - 2.30pm
📍Nokomai Station - Camp Paddock, Parawa/Athol

👉 Everything will be supplied free of charge due to the amazing support of Upper Mataura Fishing Connect, Fish & Game New Zealand, Wilson Contractors, AB Lime and Hunting and Fishing New Zealand, Invercargill.

🐟 Fly and Spin fishing gear will be available, along with instructors to teach.

🙋 All skill levels are welcome to attend.

🗣️ Catch up and connect with other farmers. Share how things are going on farm.

📲 Register now by going to https://events.humanitix.com/fishing-for-farmers-southlandmar26

06/03/2026

PARADISE SHELDUCK MONITORING FLIGHT RESULTS - We’ve recently finished analysing the data from our paradise shelduck monitoring flight. Numbers are up compared to the last few years but remain within the historical range, suggesting the population is healthy and sustainable. This is great news for hunters and points towards a promising paradise shelduck season ahead.

05/03/2026

Access to the area near the Manapouri Lake Control (MLC) structure (aka Mararoa Weir) from the Weir Road bridge is temporarily closed due to earthworks. It is expected to the reinstated during July.

Meridian has contractors excavating a channel in the Waiau River which will allow a greater flow rate through the MLC when Lake Manapouri is low.

Currently, there is limited ability to perform environmental flushing flows at low lake levels. A situation that can arise at the very time of the year when such flows are more likely to be needed.

02/03/2026

Attention public land hunters.

Mark-up Day is EARLY this year – don't miss out!

Easter's falling early in 2026, which means Mark-up Day has moved forward to Sunday 29 March – a week earlier than usual.

The essentials:

Had a maimai last season? Reclaim it anytime before 10am on 29 March by buying your 2026 licence and attaching the claim tag

Want a new spot? Any unclaimed maimai is up for grabs after 10am on Mark-up Day

Remember: On Opening Day, you must arrive within one hour of opening time or another licenceholder can use your maimai

Don't wait. Get your licence as soon as they go on sale on March 12 and stake your claim before someone else does.

After all, the early bird catches the duck 🦆