Wildlife Act 1953
Introduction
The Wildlife Act is the principal means for protecting wildlife, including some of New Zealand’s most endangered species.It regulates human interactions with protected wildlife. It also provides for and regulates game bird hunting, which is managed by the New Zealand Fish and Game Council.
View the full Wildlife Act 1953 on the New Zealand Legislation website
As part of a broader effort to modernise conservation legislation, in December 2021 the Minister of Conservation announced a review of the Wildlife Act 1953.
More about the conservation law reform work programme and the review of the Wildlife Act.