Auckland Waikato Fish & Game

09/09/2026

Check out the Lower Waikato River Trout Fishing competition 8-11 October 2026. A great opportunity to get involved and have a crack at some of the monster brown trout in the lower river downstream of Karapiro Dam to the Waikato Heads.

23/08/2026

It’s the final week of the pheasant and pūkeko season in the Auckland/Waikato region.

There are still plenty of birds around, so what better time to get out for one last hunt?

Try getting in touch with a local farmer or landowner and politely asking whether they might be willing to offer access. You never know until you ask!

27/07/2026

A mending pair of rainbow trout taking it easy after spawning

23/07/2026

In the last couple of years, we have increased our ranging efforts. The more you look, the more you naturally find, and to accommodate this, we have upskilled staff, allowing us to bring a significant proportion of the prosecution costs in-house.

Below is a summary of the 2025 offences for the Auckland/Waikato region.

22/07/2026

New easements and esplanade strips, which provide access to the Whakapapa River from Stone Jug Road in perpetuity, are now live on the Outdoor Access Map (WAMS):
https://maps.herengaanuku.govt.nz/Viewer/?map=202d9deb4dfa4c82a13536e12c58d8fa¢er=1808163.7723,5686423.3976,2193&level=15

Thanks ā Nuku Aotearoa Outdoor Access Commission for your support on this project!

Find more details on the Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game Angler Access Fund here:
https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/where-to-fish/regional-info/aucklandwaikato/aucklandwaikato-angler-access-fund/

21/07/2026

Some further details around our habitat and access initiatives. If you are a landowner in the Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game region and keen to collaborate, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Auckland/Waikato council buys land from willing landholders, who in turn receive help with planning permission.

21/07/2026

Minister for Hunting and Fishing, kindly joined us, and other project partners to celebrate the new permanent access to the Whakapapa River at Stone Jug Road.

“As Minister, these are the exact sorts of projects I encourage and want to see more of. Access to our rivers and outdoor areas is part of who we are as New Zealanders, and projects like this help ensure those opportunities are protected not just for today, but for the future.

“I believe this initiative provides a model that could be replicated across New Zealand.”

Want to help us secure permanent public access to New Zealand's rivers? Learn more about the Auckland/Waikato Angler Access Fund or make a donation here:

https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/where-to-fish/regional-info/aucklandwaikato/aucklandwaikato-angler-access-fund/

15/07/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT | Bird flu (H5N1) confirmed in New Zealand for the first time.

MPI has confirmed a detection of H5N1 bird flu in a Brown Skua at Petone. Fish & Game is working with MPI and DOC on the national response.

At this time there’s no evidence in mass mortality in wildlife, or transmission, or between wild birds in NZ. Also no detection in poultry

What hunters need to know:

✅ Game bird hunting can continue
�� Don't touch sick or dead birds that your hunting party haven’t shot. Watch dogs and children don’t touch the birds
🧹 Clean gear between every outing
🤲 Wash and dry your hands after handling birds
📞 Three or more sick or dead birds? Call 0800 80 99 66 immediately
We'll keep you updated as things develop.
More info: fishandgame.org.nz | mpi.govt.nz/HPAI