Successful 2025 Game Bird Season draws to a close
A Hunter with his Dog - Fish and Game
As game bird hunting seasons conclude across the country, early indications suggest the 2025 season has been another successful year for New Zealand's hunting community.
Survey results following the May opening weekend paint a positive picture, with hunters nationally reporting strong satisfaction with their experiences. On average, hunters ranked their opening weekend satisfaction at 4 out of 5, matching the high standards set during the 2024 season.
While not all regions reported a great season, more than 70% of hunters reported feeling satisfied or very satisfied with their opening weekend experience. The estimated mallard harvest reached approximately 240,000 birds – representing a notable 15% increase compared to the 2024 opening weekend harvest.
"The strong satisfaction levels we're seeing reflect the enthusiasm we witnessed during opening weekend, with hunters from all over New Zealand coming together at wetlands and waterways," said Fish & Game Acting Chief Executive Richie Cosgrove.
"It’s a tradition spanning generations – bringing families together while connecting with our rural heritage and sustainably harvesting kai. It's also about the well-being benefits of spending time outdoors with mates and family."
Hunting season is not just about harvest, he says.
"Hunters are amongst our most dedicated conservationists. These wetland habitats support not just game birds but many other species – and our licence holders directly fund their protection and restoration.
“The continued success relies on farmers who generously open their properties to hunters, ensuring many New Zealanders have access to hunting opportunities.
"Getting outdoors with family provides such a valuable break from screens and technology, while also putting quality kai on the table.
“And you can still hunt upland game birds in most regions till the end of August. Many regions also have summer seasons in January and February, so we encourage people to check our website for details or scan the QR code on their licence.
Ends
Lisa was born in Auckland at the start of the 1970s, living in a small campsite community on the North Shore called Browns Bay. She spent a significant part of her life with her grandparents, often hanging out at the beaches. Lisa has many happy memories from those days at Browns Bay beach, where fish were plentiful on the point and the ocean was rich in seaweed. She played in the water for hours, going home totally “sun-kissed.” “An adorable time to grow up,” Lisa tells me.
Lisa enjoyed many sports; she was a keen tennis player and netballer, playing in the top teams for her age right up until the family moved to Wellington. Lisa was fifteen years old, which unfortunately marked the end of her sporting career. Local teams were well established in Wellington, and her attention was drawn elsewhere.