Northland Fish and Game

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

08/04/2026

An exciting Auckland-Waikato Fish & Game initiative has restored access to a river previously tied up in private ownership.

The Auckland/Waikato Angler Access Fund is a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on one thing: improving fishing access for current and future generations.

💡 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬
✔️ Purchase land with valuable angler access (using external funding)
✔️ Add easements to the property title, ensuring public access in perpetuity
✔️ Sell the property (now with enduring public access) and return the money to the fund

📍𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭
The fund has already delivered its first success, a property on Stone Jug Road, opening up over 3km of fishing on the Whakapapa River.
The property is now in the final stages of surveying and will soon be sold, with proceeds going straight back into the fund to do it all again.
Learn how you can contribute here: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/where-to-fish/regional-info/aucklandwaikato/aucklandwaikato-angler-access-fund/

Listen to David Klee talking about it on RNZ here:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2019030035/plan-to-secure-river-access-for-fishers

📸 View from the Stone Jug Road access point

29/03/2026

Short notice ballot opportunity!

Due to a withdrawal a stand has become available at the Fish and Game managed Flaxmill Wetland near Dargaville. Ballots are now open for this stand. The winner may choose to hold the stand in subsequent years as long as they are meeting the maintenance conditions.

Visit this site to enter the ballot: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/where-to-hunt/regional-info/northland/ballots-in-the-northland-region/

Entries close 5pm Easter Monday.
Draw will occur Wednesday 8th April 2026

Good luck!

25/03/2026

Great game bird hunters are made, not born. 🌿
Fish & Game has launched a free knowledge hub to help game bird hunters at every level get better results in the field. Downloadable guides cover equipment, game bird ID, maimai builds, decoy strategies, calling, cooking, and more.
Check it out here https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/hunting-knowledge-hub/
Got ideas for what additional resources you'd like to see? Email [email protected]

19/03/2026

16/03/2026

Whau Valley Dam is now open to the public again. For those visiting the area please keep an eye out for dead ducks. If any are seen, leave them in place and inform Whangarei District Council ASAP.

Tight Lines

11/03/2026

GAME BIRD LICENCES ON SALE NOW!
Game bird hunting is one of the great social, recreational sports in New Zealand, offering a special opportunity to connect with nature, build your fitness, source sustainable wild food and spend quality time with friends and family like no other.
Now is your chance to join us in rewilding Aotearoa. Secure your licence today and get ready to experience the thrill of the hunt and the joy of connecting with New Zealand’s natural beauty.
Buy online or in-store today.

https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/
https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/hunting-licences-and-regulations/where-to-buy-your-licence/