Hunting rules relaxed under Alert Level 3

Chris Marshall Reporter from Taupō Times

The government has moved to placate mounting pressure from gun groups, hunting associations and rural communities to allow some hunting when the country moves to Covid-19 Alert Level 3.
Hunters will be able to hunt on private land with special restrictions but not on public conservation land, Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson and Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced on Thursday (April 23).

Hunting has not been allowed under Alert Level 4, but a shift to Level 3 next Tuesday morning will mean hunters can once again hunt locally - as long as they have the landholder’s permission and stick to the rules.
At a press conference last week Robertson said restrictions on hunting were under review.

In a press release today he said the easing of rules would strike a balance by allowing hunting in a limited way.

“We know that hunting is an important part of life for many New Zealanders, and in some cases a critical source of food. At Level 3 we also need to minimise the risk of losing the great progress we’ve made together in Alert Level 4 in stamping out the virus.”

Hunting on foot on private land would be allowed under Alert Level 3, so long as hunters stayed within their region and their bubble. Overnight trips were not.

“The use of quad bikes, off-road bikes, helicopters and other motorised vehicles is prohibited.”

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said hunting on public conservation land was not allowed until a decision had been made for a return to Alert Level 2.

“While many hunters may want to head to popular spots on public land to target the last stag of the roar, under Alert Level 3 hunting on public conservation land will remain off limits.

“This helps with consistency across walking and mountain biking where people must stay local, rather than travelling to backcountry conservation land.

“The start of the duck hunting season is being postponed from May 2 to start on the second weekend after the date that is decided for when New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2. The season will also end later,” she said.

The two-week delay to the start of the season following any move to Level 2 was determined in consultation with the New Zealand Fish and Game Council

“All New Zealanders will still have an opportunity to hunt ducks, at the same time, once we return to Alert Level 2,” said Sage.