day licence means a licence that entitles the holder, during the open season, to hunt or kill game in all regions during the day specified in the licence, except for a day in the period beginning on 3 May 2025 and ending on 11 May 2025

Fish and Game Council has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Conservation Act 1987

junior means a person aged 12 years or over, but under 18 years, on 3 May 2025

licence means any licence issued under this notice to hunt or kill game during the open season on the date or dates or during the period specified in the licence

open season, in relation to a licence issued under this notice, means the period beginning on 3 May 2025 and ending on 1 May 2026, specified by notice in the Gazette made under section 15 of the Act

region means the region of a Fish and Game Council, specified by notice in the Gazette made under section 26A(1)(c) of the Conservation Act 1987

whole-season licence means a licence that entitles the holder, at any time during the open season, to hunt or kill game in all regions.

4 Licences issued by Fish and Game Councils

(1)

Every Fish and Game Council may issue the following classes of licence in accordance with clauses 5 and 6:

(a)

day licences:

(b)

whole-season licences.

(2)

However, a Fish and Game Council must not issue a day licence for the period beginning on 3 May 2025 and ending at the close of 11 May 2025.

5 Day licence

A person who is an adult or a junior may obtain a day licence from a Fish and Game Council on payment of the appropriate fee specified in Part 1 of the Schedule.

6 Whole-season licence

A person who is an adult or a junior or child may obtain a whole-season licence from a Fish and Game Council on payment of the appropriate fee specified in Part 2 of the Schedule.

7 Game bird habitat stamp fee

(1)

The fee payable for a game bird habitat stamp is,—

(a)

in the case of a stamp displayed on a game licence in accordance with section 19A of the Act, the game bird habitat stamp fee set out in the Schedule; and

(b)

in any other case, $8.70.

(2)

Game bird habitat stamp fees are payable to the Fish and Game Council that supplies the stamp.

8 Fees exclusive of GST

The fees set out in the Schedule and in clause 7(1)(b) are exclusive of goods and services tax.

9 Forms of licences

Every licence must be in writing and must state the following:

(a)

the holder’s full name, postal address, telephone number (if any), and date of birth:

(b)

whether the holder is an adult, a junior, or a child:

(c)

the class and effect of the licence:

(d)

the time and date of issue:

(e)

the period during which the licence is valid.

10 Revocation

The Game Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2024 (SL 2024/8) is revoked.

Schedule Fees payable for game licences

cls 3, 5–8

Part 1 Day licence

Class of applicant	Licence fee ($)	Game bird habitat stamp fee ($)	Total fee payable ($)
Adult	19.13	4.35	23.48
Junior	4.35	4.35	8.70

Part 2 Whole-season licence

Class of applicant	Licence fee ($)	Game bird habitat stamp fee ($)	Total fee payable ($)
Adult	96.52	4.35	100.87
Junior	19.13	4.35	23.48
Child	Free	4.35	4.35

Dated at Wellington this 2nd day of February 2025.

Hon James Meager,
Minister for Hunting and Fishing.

Explanatory note

This note is not part of the notice but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This notice (except clause 10, which comes into force on 3 May 2025) comes into force on 13 March 2025. The notice—

fixes the forms and classes of licence to hunt or kill game:
fixes the scope and effect of those classes of licence:
provides for the licences issued for any region to be available in all regions:
fixes the fees payable to Fish and Game Councils for licences to hunt or kill game:
fixes the fees payable to Fish and Game Councils for the game bird habitat stamp:
revokes the Game Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2024.

This notice applies to game licences for the 2025–2026 open season for game. Every licence is subject to the conditions set out in the notice made by the Minister of Conservation under section 15 of the Wildlife Act 1953 that declares the open season for game.

Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2019.

Date of notification in Gazette: 7 February 2025.

This notice is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Game Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2025