Game bird licences and permits

Waterfowl, including paradise shelduck, mallard, grey and shoveler duck and black swan can be hunted in DOC-managed areas. Upland game such as pheasant and quail can also be hunted.

Search DOC-managed areas you can hunt game birds

Required licence and permit

To hunt game birds on public conservation land, you need both a game bird licence from Fish & Game New Zealand, and a game bird hunting permit from DOC.

Game birds are managed by Fish & Game New Zealand, while the habitat that game bird hunting occurs on is managed by DOC.

Game bird licence from Fish & Game

Licences for hunting game birds are issued by Fish & Game New Zealand.

Purchase a game bird licence 

You'll receive a copy of the Game Bird Hunting Guide with your licence. This provides you with information about the hunting seasons and bag limits for each species, maps and much more. It is an essential companion to your hunting licence.

Note, there are six separate regions in the North Island and six in the South Island. Each have their own regulations to comply with. Check the regulations for the region you're hunting in, before you go hunting.

Game bird hunting permit from DOC

These permits are for specific areas and periods and are issued through the DOC office closest to the hunting area. Apply by email to the office responsible for managing the area.

• For game bird hunting in the Waikato and Hauraki regions, you can collect your permit from certain outlets when you purchase your Fish & Game licence: Waikato and Hauraki game bird hunting permit outlets.
• For game bird hunting in Wairau Lagoons in Marlborough, you need to contact the local office. How to request a licence for Wairau Lagoons. 

Check with the issuing office if the construction of maimai (a hunters' hut) is permitted and if so, under what conditions.

To hunt game birds on your own property, Fish & Game New Zealand has more information: Hunting game birds on your own property.

Canada geese

Canada geese are in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Act 1953. Anyone can hunt or kill geese at any time of year without a need for a game licence. Hunters wanting to hunt geese on conservation land need to obtain a hunting permit.

Hunting of Canada geese is covered by a small game hunting permit or a Canada goose permit in areas that don’t allow small game hunting.