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 regionHunters 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 RegionThe 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.