Northland Fish and Game

28/09/2026

Want to get hooked on fishing for trout?

Come to Whau Valley dam and learn how to catch trout in our stocked reservoirs from the team at Northland Fish & Game.



Saturday 17th October 2026, 9am

Whau Valley dam, Whangarei



Register your attendance via [email protected] and go in the draw to win ‘The Fish & Game Cookbook’

Limited fishing equipment available so bring your own gear if you have it. Special fishing licences available on the day.

23/09/2026

The Government has replaced the Resource Management Act with two new laws that do not properly recognise angling, game bird hunting, or the habitats our species depend on. The debate is not over, and there is a real chance to shape what comes next. Fish & Game has made this case at every stage, and....

31/08/2026

The 2026-27 freshwater fishing season opens 1 October, and licences are on sale now.

Get in early so the run-up to opening day is all about the good stuff: sorting your gear, lining up trips with mates, and choosing good spots.

New this season, we've launched the Fishing Knowledge Hub, your one-stop online home for everything freshwater fishing. From choosing gear and reading the water to techniques and preparing your catch, plus a growing library of how-to videos.

New Zealand is rated among the best freshwater fishing destinations in the world, and it's right on your doorstep. Buy your licence, explore the Hub, and we'll see you out there.

Buy your licence here: https://fishandgame.eslltd.co.nz/

New to freshwater fishing or after handy tips and info? We've got you covered. Everything you need for freshwater fishing in New Zealand, all in one place.

Check out our Fishing Knowledge Hub: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/fishing-knowledge-hub

12/08/2026

A shoveler can travel almost the length of New Zealand in a couple of days. That's why around 50 Fish & Game staff and volunteers counted them all on the same couple of days, at roughly 300 sites from top to bottom of the country. The annual survey keeps hunting sustainable and, this year, gave teams a chance to watch for signs of H5 bird flu.

read more here: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/follow-the-hunt/hunting-news/counters-brave-the-cold-as-annual-shoveler-survey-spans-the-country/

06/07/2026

Bird flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1) is in Australia. It’s not here yet, but we can all be on the lookout for signs of the disease.
If you see groups of three or more sick or dying birds, marine mammals or other wildlife please report to MPI’s hotline: 0800 80 99 66.
Do not touch, handle or collect dead or dying birds.
We are working closely with lead agency MPI, DOC and other agencies and will keep you informed of any changes. Follow our socials for news and we will keep licence holders up to date by email.
MPI: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza
Read this info sheet for hunters here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/62571-Avian-influenza-information-for-game-bird-hunters-factsheet
We will have game bird hunter-focussed information on our site: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/environment/protect-nz-game-bird-habitats/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza-hpai/

22/06/2026

29/05/2026

Attention Anglers,

Whau Valley Dam is currently closed to public access. We are hoping to get an update after the long weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LSEWBy6T8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🟢 UPDATE: Whau Valley Dam is open again now.

🚧 Temporary closure – Whau Valley Dam public access
From 29 May, public access to the Whau Valley Dam will be temporarily closed as a precaution, after a scum was found around the edges of the lake surface that may be harmful to pets.
Please be assured that drinking water from the dam is fully treated and safe.
We have reported the findings to Northland Regional Council, and our team is keeping a close eye on the situation. We will share updates as we know more.
Thanks for your understanding while we take this precaution to keep pets safe 💛

26/05/2026

Check out this trophy banded drake from our new banding site at Matakohe. This one was shot within a few km of the banding site. It is great to see reports of leg bands from our first Northland banding site coming in. The first one was reported at 7:44am on opening morning!

If you have harvested a duck with a leg band please help us by reporting it. It can be done online at the link below, or by contacting the office. You keep the band, we just need some information.

https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/hunting-in-action/banding-together/send-in-your-duck-band-details/

Good luck out there and keep those band reports coming in.

14/05/2026

New Zealand is home to a rich mix of waterfowl and upland gamebirds, and out there this season you'll encounter both huntable game birds and fully protected species sharing the same habitat.

Take a moment to brush up on your bird ID. We've put together resources to help you identify game birds and non-game birds, so you can make confident, informed calls in the field.

Some protected birds are endangered, making target identification not just a legal responsibility, but a conservation one too.

Hunt well, hunt responsibly, and look after what makes our wetlands and ponds worth hunting.



https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/hunting-knowledge-hub/what-to-hunt/

30/04/2026

Opening Weekend is nearly here, are you ready?
1. Gamebird hunting licence.
2. Gun checked
3. Decoys ready
4. Checked your local regs
5. Got your ammo
6. Dog blanket, water bowl with you