Hunters Across The Country Get Set For Opening Weekend For Game Bird Season
Tens of thousands of Kiwis from the Far North to the Deep South are preparing for the start of the 2025 game bird season this Saturday (May 3).
Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan said a strong breeding season has set the stage for an exciting Opening Weekend for hunters.
"We know the anticipation is building in communities nationwide as hunters gear up for the big day. Opening Weekend is a popular event on the calendar for New Zealanders from all walks of life."
Jordan, who will join Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager at a maimai in Otago on Saturday, says New Zealand offers a wide range of hunting opportunities beyond just the Opening Weekend.
"New Zealand is a haven for game bird hunters, offering more than just the Opening Weekend. Hunters in many parts of the country have the opportunity to go game bird hunting all through winter.
"As much as game bird hunting is about the challenge, it's also about the camaraderie with friends and family, the connection to nature, and the valued tradition of hunting, which has been passed down through generations.
"There's nothing quite like the feeling of standing alongside fellow hunters on Opening Weekend and the opportunity to provide wild, sustainable food for family, friends, and communities up and down the country."
The forecast for the Opening Weekend shows cloudy skies and mild temperatures across many regions, says Jordan.
"While the dry summer had raised concerns for game bird hunters in some parts of the country, recent rainfall has brought much-needed relief. This should lift the spirits of the approximately 60,000 hunters heading out this weekend.
"We also want to thank those farmers who are generously opening their farms to hunters -- many of whom are hunters themselves. Their support helps ensure that the tradition of game bird hunting continues."
Game bird hunting regional wrap
Region Details
Northland Region
In the last two weeks of April, some areas of Northland received three times the average expected rainfall for the month. Heavy and persistent falls have landed on much of the region's east coast, causing widespread flooding. The west coast has been less affected but has still received some rain. This has been a relief for some who have had their wetlands and duck ponds replenished after a long dry spell but it is a cause for frustration for others. Hunters that have been feeding ponds may find that the ducks have dispersed around the floodplains to take advantage of the floodwater and the abundance of protein rich food that it brings. Many hunters are also unable to reach their maimai due to floodwater submerging their access tracks and, in some cases, their entire maimai. Whether the floodwater will subside by the weekend will depend on how much rain remains to fall. Opening Weekend is forecast to be fine and sunny, although a reasonable wind on Saturday will help keep the ducks moving. Hunting prospects are expected to be reasonable this season. Mallard/grey numbers look good, although there is likely to be a higher proportion of adults and fewer juveniles than last year, considering that the dry spring period will have resulted in lower-than-usual juvenile recruitment. Paradise duck numbers remain high, and with an increased bag limit of 25 birds, there will be an opportunity for some exciting hunting and taking home lean protein. Swan numbers are significantly lower than in previous years due to the large population from Lake Ōmāpere dispersing, with many leaving the region. Shoveler numbers remain stable, and pūkeko are as prevalent as ever. Upland game numbers are good this season and will provide an excellent opportunity to add some diversity to hunting activities and get more value out of the licence purchase with the longer season that is offered for pheasant and quail. Hunters that adapt to the change in conditions will do well this Opening Weekend. Those hunters whose maimai is unreachable are encouraged to hunt the margins of floodwater on or near the main flight lines of the river systems. Tactics normally used mid and late season -- such as scouting for shallow floodwater and bird concentrations, will pay off -- particularly for evening hunting. Fish & Game rangers will be out both days and look forward to seeing hunters enjoying the great tradition that is opening weekend.
Eastern region
The Opening Weekend weather is looking promising for hunters in the Eastern Region. Given the forecast, the region predicts that Opening Weekend bags should be similar to last year. Eastern Council has decided to increase the season length for the 2025 mallard, grey, and shoveler duck season to six weeks, providing keen hunters with an additional opportunity. Paradise shelduck and black swan populations are on par with the last few years and pukeko are plentiful. Upland game hunting should be better than last year. Rangers will be out and about checking hunters' bags and will be accompanied by police and Firearms Safety Authority staff in areas.
Hawke's Bay region
With a good amount of rain forecast in the days leading up to opening day, windy, cold conditions for Saturday and Sunday, and a good chance of more rain on Saturday morning, the prospects are good for Opening Weekend. There are good numbers of mallards and high numbers of paradise ducks; the rain should help keep the birds flying, the wind should keep them from flying straight out to sea, and the cold weather should make them hungry -- maximising hunting opportunities for all hunters, particularly those who have put in good pre-season work. The upland prospects are looking equally good. The local Fish & Game team has seen good numbers of Quail and Pheasants on river margins and in forested areas, no doubt helped by a large number of donated cock pheasants released after last year's upland season and the great breeding season with no major rain events, minimising juvenile mortality. We expect a good season with game birds in great condition. We wish all licence holders a happy and successful season while reminding them to carry their hunting licence and read and comply with the regulations.
Taranaki region
Summer drought periods have finally broken with recent rainfall, which has been happily received throughout the region. As water returns to ponds and wetlands that have been dry or at a low ebb over summer, birds will be congregating in these areas to feed on concentrations of worms and bugs. Recent trend counts have shown gamebird numbers are strong throughout Taranaki, Wanganui and the Waimarino. As we head into the wetter months and water starts to accumulate in paddocks of maise stubble and newly sown grass, productive hunts can be had, particularly for paradise shelduck, which, according to January moult counts, are currently in record-high numbers throughout the Taranaki ring plain. As a result of these higher numbers, the bag limit has been increased from 10 to 15 shelduck for opening weekend in Area C, with the rest of the season returning to the usual 10 birds. Recent monitoring has shown that mallard, black swan, and pūkeko populations remain stable in good numbers, providing plenty of hunting opportunities. The weather forecast is a mixed bag for the weekend, with sun and clear skies forecast from Saturday onwards, with strong southerly winds that ease on Sunday.
Nelson Marlborough region
The regions mallard monitoring programme indicates numbers in the Marlborough area are up 20 percent the average. Also the regions paradise shelduck numbers are very v strong in the Tasman and Golden Bay area. This bodes well for hunters in the region in the coming months.
West Coast region
West Coast game bird populations are in excellent shape. A wet spring provided ideal breeding conditions, leading to strong duckling and chick survival rates. Recent monitoring confirms that mallards, grey ducks, paradise shelducks, pūkeko, shoveler, and black swans are all in healthy numbers across the region. Though summer has been dry, the strong start to the breeding season means bird numbers remain high. Waterfowl have adapted to the changing conditions, with many concentrating around the most reliable water sources. This makes preseason scouting crucial, as identifying where birds are feeding and roosting offers hunters the best chance of success. Farm ponds and spring-fed creeks are often key feeding areas, while wetlands, riverbeds, and estuaries are expected to continue holding significant numbers of roosting birds.
North Canterbury region
Hunters in North Canterbury should have plenty of opportunities this opening weekend. This week's rain, however, will disperse birds by providing plenty of new habitat for the ducks to feed on so be prepared to move around to hunt your ducks. Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, regarded as one of New Zealand's Waterfowlers' bucket list hunting locations is looking fantastic. The Lake will be opened to the sea in the coming weeks, but it is at a perfect level for opening weekend. Elsewhere in the region, duck numbers are good following a mild summer, and with a three-month-long season, hunters will have lots of opportunities to hunt over the coming weeks.
Central South Island region
Overall, the relatively wet summer on the Plains and foothills has set up water levels nicely at hunting ponds; however, further inland, it has been much drier. Central South Island Fish & Game's game bird population surveys suggest that, in general, the relatively wet summer on the Canterbury Plains has supported a productive breeding season, which bodes well for the 2025 season. A Canterbury Plains survey of mallard duck and paradise shelduck population undertaken in March observed healthy numbers -- the third highest count since records began for mallard duck and the highest on record for paradise shelduck. Annual population monitoring shows black swan numbers are currently high in the Wainono Lagoon area and the Mackenzie Basin. The Central South Island Region game bird season is open until July 27th for waterfowl species: mallard duck, grey duck, NZ shoveller duck, black swan and pūkeko.
Otago region
Game bird hunters across the Otago region are gearing up for what looks to be an encouraging start to the 2025 season. Despite a change in monitoring approach this year, Otago Fish & Game officers are optimistic about duck numbers throughout the region following favourable breeding conditions. Anecdotal reports from across the region suggest promising populations in multiple areas. Reports from South Otago and West Otago note substantial bird numbers, while good numbers have been observed in the Taieri and the Maniototo areas. Five ranger teams will be checking compliance at both private and public hunting locations across Otago on Opening Weekend. Hunters are reminded to make firearms safe, present game bird licences when requested and follow rangers' instructions. Wellington region A period of settled conditions across the lower North Island will come to an abrupt end just in time for the start of the season with rain and a strong southerly moving through late on Friday. While Opening Weekend weather looks a little calmer - cloudy with showers and westerlies - the forecast big southerly system will certainly stir birds up and get them moving for Opening Day, which is excellent news for hunters in the lower North Island. Our recent aerial trend counts for mallards in the Wellington Fish & Game region reveal a strong population, with higher numbers recorded in both the Wairarapa plains and Manawatu areas than this time last year. Large congregations of birds have been observed on small ponds and dams near recently harvested maize crops. The later-than-normal harvest means there is plenty of crop still to come in, and this will likely have kept ducks localised. Good numbers of mallards have also been holding on the big water, such as Lake Wairarapa, and loafing on the larger rivers in the region, like the Manawatu.
Southland Region
The Southland region is expecting a strong season this year. The spring breeding season was productive, with favourable conditions leading to higher duckling survival. This has resulted in a good number of younger birds in the population, which are generally easier to hunt. Southland Fish & Game has recently completed pre-season mallard monitoring flights. While some areas, particularly Northern Southland, showed higher counts, mallard numbers across the region are sitting around the long-term average. This is good news for hunters, as it points to a typical Southland season with steady numbers, plenty of opportunity, and the prospect of a memorable opening weekend followed by a rewarding season overall. At this stage, the forecast is pointing toward still, calm conditions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
11 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
All Whites shock Ivory Coast
The All Whites have clung on to shock African champions Ivory Coast 1-0 in Canda - in a result that could be regarded as one of their best in the last 15 years. Winger Eli Just scored the winning goal just before halftime before New Zealand dug in to win a contest in Toronto on Sunday in which they were largely outplayed but scrapped effectively to preserve a clean sheet. They did it with regular captain Chris Wood playing as a substitute, coming off the bench in the 82nd minute to replace striker Kosta Barbarouses as All Whites management seek to control the 33-year-old's workload following a huge season of goal-scoring at Nottingham Forest. Defender Libby Cacace was captain in his place. It was New Zealand's first match since March, when they beat New Caledonia in Auckland to book their place at next year's FIFA World Cup. Playing their first ever men's senior match against world No 41 Ivory Coast, the 86th-ranked All Whites notched their first win over a team ranked that high since 2010. Victory was based on some inspired defending, led by Finn Surman, while fellow-centre back Tyler Bindon also impressed with his grittiness and goalkeeper Max Crocombe came up with a number of crucial stops. After seeing off a host of Ivory Coast attacks, the New Zealanders scored a counter-attacking goal through Austria-based Just in the 41st minute. The goal was set up by midfielder Marko Stamenic, who won back possession in the middle of the park and quickly picking out Just's run down the right flank. Just's first touch was sublime before an angled shot to the far left corner beat goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare. The Elephants didn't start with their strongest side at BMO Stadium, but coach Emerse Fae introduced a host of leading European players in the second half in the pursuit of goals. One of their best chance came in the 92nd minute when Crocombe produced a reaction save to deny a close-range header from Brighton star winger in the English Premier League, Simon Adingra. Moments later, the final whistle sounded on just New Zealand's third win in 19 international matches against African opposition. The only injury concern was an apparent knee problem suffered by Callum McCowatt midway through the first half. He was replaced by Ben Old. The match was part of the Canadian Shield four-nation tournament. In the opening match, hosts Canada beat Ukraine 4-2. New Zealand play 25th-ranked Ukrainians on Wednesday morning in Toronto.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Janssen relishing bigger role with Nuggets
Jonathan Janssen has a chance to rewrite the script with the Otago Nuggets. Previously he got to hang out on the wing and toss up a few three-pointers. But the departure of import Jose Perez has meant the one-game Tall Black has had to step up and step into the paint. It is not exactly a new role for the 30-year-old. The 2.06m forward has always had the ability to mix it up on the inside. But he has been viewed as an outside shooter and that was what the Nuggets brought him in to do. "I think, in a sense, I'm still kind of doing the same thing that I was doing, I'm just doing it more. "Jose was an inside-based post kind of playing guy. So that allowed me to stretch the floor. "And now with him gone, it now requires more of a post presence for us. So, you know, just kind of stepping up to that." That means he has been setting more screens and rolling towards the hoop. His hook shot has proved quite productive. He had his best game in the 98-92 defeat to the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Dunedin late last month. He poured in 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. It was not enough for the Nuggets to post a breakthrough win, though. They are on a 10-game losing streak and host the Taranaki Airs at the Edgar Centre tonight. The visitors are well-placed to make the playoffs, whereas the Nuggets are playing for pride at this point in the season. It is a tough assignment but Janssen said the team was focused on improving. "I think we've shown really great improvements over the last three games since Jose's departure. "I think that we're playing good team basketball, and in two out of the three games we were actually up. "If you look at the Saints game, it was a three-point game with 50 seconds left." The Nuggets have certainly left some potential wins out on the court. They have lacked composure in the key moments. "We're up there competing with every single team and we know that we can do that. It's just going to come down to the end of the game and locking in when it matters most." Janssen was born in South Africa but spent his early years living in Auckland. His family moved to Queensland when he was 13. Janssen played college basketball in the United States. He had a stint with the Cleveland State Vikings before transferring to Hawaii Pacific. He had a professional gig in Kosovo and was preparing for a second season with the Canterbury Rams when Covid arrived. He played one game for the Tall Blacks during the pandemic. He joined a bunch of Australian-based New Zealanders for the fixture. Janssen has also had two seasons in Luxembourg, and also suited up for the Hawks in 2021 and played from the bench. He was sidelined with a foot injury last year and missed some games for the Nuggets at the start of the 2025 campaign while his foot was healing. But since returning, he has cemented himself in the starting side and his role has expanded with the exit of Perez. He has embraced the opportunity to have the ball in his hands more often. "I think everyone enjoys that, right? "I think I'm a good decision-maker ... which helps the guys and helps get other guys really good looks too. "In a sense, we've been playing really great team basketball and putting me in that position has helped that as well." NBL Edgar Centre, tonight, 7.30 Otago Nuggets: Jonathan Janssen, Matthew Bardsley, Donald Carey jun, Joshua Aitcheson, Jaylen Sebree, Patrick Freeman, Darcy Knox, Caleb Smiler, Christian Martin, Mac Stodart, Liam Boomer, Noah McDowall. Taranaki Airs (possible): Carlin Davison, Armon Fletcher, Deng Dut, Craig Moller, Jack Andrew, Jack Exeter, Scott Telfer, Jaylen Gerrand, Lyric Tuhaka, Dominique Kelman-Poto, Quintin Bailey, Cameron Quinnell.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Icy start as wintry blast expected to bring heavy snow
Kiwis are waking to freezing temperatures in some places ahead of a wintry blast expected to bring heavy snow to parts of the South Island. At 7am, MetService's website showed Mosgiel as officially the coldest centre in the country, on -5C. Alexandra was on -2.5C, and Queenstown -1C. Christchruch woke up to 0C, while Dunedin was on 3C, only one degree less than the warmest places in the South Island - Nelson and Westport on 4C. At 10.45am Mosgiel was still shivering, on -1.5C. 💨🌧️❄️ Wind, rain, and snow are all on the cards today! Snowfall will continue over the higher parts of the South Island, while the North Island braces for strong southeasterlies, showers, and even a dusting of snow around the ranges near and east of Tongariro National Park. — MetService (@MetService) June 5, 2025 Non-official weather station data on the MetService site showed -7C at Tekapo at first light, and both the Central Otago District Council and the Queenstown Lakes District Council said temperatures of -6C had been recorded. The freezing icy conditions prompted Southern Police to issue a warning of black ice on Southland roads and to urge motorists to take "extreme care". They said they had already attended one black-ice related crash this morning and were aware of another. "Thankfully no one has been injured but we want to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely." The chill and road warnings come amid a raft of weather alerts. Check MetService weather alerts An orange heavy snow warning issued for Central Otago has been downgraded to a heavy snow watch, from 2pm to 8pm today, but an orange warning remains for inland Canterbury, from the Rakaia River southwards from 3pm on Friday to 6am on Saturday. MetService says to expect 10 to 20 cm of snow to settle above 500 metres, with lesser amounts down to 300 metres. A heavy snow watch is also in place for the Queenstown Lakes District, from 3pm to 10pm today. The forecaster said the snow could disrupt travel and cause damage to trees and powerlines. It urged people to prepare for freezing temperatures and possible power outages. "If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items." MetService Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the heaviest snowfall was expected in high, inland areas. "These areas do look most likely to see some heavy snow throughout Friday, running into the night time and maybe just tipping over into Saturday as well," he said. Temperatures across the southern half of the South Island were expected to dive into the negatives, and remain low for most of the weekend. "A lot of people will have noticed a real chill to the air," Ferris said. "It looks like the South Island, even parts of the North Island, will feel the chills through the weekend. Some places even into the middle of next week, especially around Central Otago, places like Alexandra, might be fighting to get out of those negatives even through the daytime," he said. Farmers brace for snow The sub-zero temperatures and potential snow are bringing added stress to farmers and their livestock. In Tapanui - near Gore - Federated Farmers' Otago president Luke Kane has been getting his farm and animals ready. He told Morning Report the drop in temperatures and heavy snow didn't come as a surprise for this time of the year. "It is winter after all. We normally would anticipate two to three of these storms for us throughout the winter and this may be the first one." Preparation was key when these types of snow storms hit, including putting out few extra hay bails, utilising shelter and making sure staff were safe and well fed, Kane said. Road snow warnings Road snowfall warnings are in place for Dunedin's Northern Motorway (SH1) from 1pm to midnight on Friday, the Crown Range Road from 4pm to 10pm on Friday, Haast Pass (SH6) from 8pm to midnight Friday, Lindis Pass (SH8) from 4pm today to 1am on Saturday, the Milford Road (SH94) from 4pm to 9pm on Friday, Lewis Pass (SH7) from 5pm on Friday to 9am Saturday, Arthur's Pass (SH73) from 4pm Friday to 8am Saturday, and Porters Pass (SH73) from 4pm Friday to 8am Saturday. - APL/additional reporting RNZ
