New Zealand 🇳🇿 just went up (2024)

New Zealand Fish & Game Council has introduced a new daily charge to fish some heavily-trafficked rivers for non-resident anglers, in addition to the long-standing Full Season Non-Resident’s Licence. It’s called a Designated Waters Licence (DWL) and can only be purchased daily for up to 5 days per region for Non-Resident Anglers. It’s a trivial NZD$40 per day, but the five day cap is designed to stop overseas anglers camping for an extended period.

https://fishandgame.org.nz/licences/fishing-licence-info/designated-waters-licence/

Resident anglers (Kiwi’s) can purchase the same Designated Waters endorsem*nt for a whole season for only NZD$5 per region.

The non-resident charge for a 2023/2024 full season fishing licence is a paltry NZD$264 plus those Designated Water regions you choose to fish at NZD$40 per day.

There are also Controlled Fisheries with a beat system to limit angler pressure. These carry no additional charge for access but may require entry via ballot.

The DWL only affects a few of the most popular rivers in each region (mainly South Island) and there’s plenty of other water to fish. Read the link above for more info if you’re planning a trip to New Zealand .

Feel free to ask me any questions on these changes and I’ll do my best to answer them.

perryk said:

Paltry and trivial?..lol...

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Maybe... but I hate being nickkeled and dimed. If I travel accross the globe to get to NZ maybe I want to fish for more than a week. Maybe I want to tour the country for a month and have a real vacation like Matt when he came to fish the USA from Aus. "five day cap is designed to stop overseas anglers camping for an extended period"... Sheez...5 days I might be just getting over the jet lag. That's a long way to go for 5 days of fishing. As the SharkTank guys say..."I'm out!"

fatbillybob said:

Maybe... but I hate being nickkeled and dimed. If I travel accross the globe to get to NZ maybe I want to fish for more than a week. Maybe I want to tour the country for a month and have a real vacation like Matt when he came to fish the USA from Aus. "five day cap is designed to stop overseas anglers camping for an extended period"... Sheez...5 days I might be just getting over the jet lag. That's a long way to go for 5 days of fishing. As the SharkTank guys say..."I'm out!"

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We are only talking a few select overly pressured rivers. There are thousands of places in this country that offer quality fishing and camping.

Ah, the price and the reward! In Pa. a license for fishing a full year is less than 10 cents a day. People complain when Pa. raises it $2.00. As they stand in front of me with a Starbucks Mocha Latte, Simms waders and Thomas and Thomas rod. I smile, nod and look at my feet. In my mind wondering which foot I should kick them with!

Then I laugh and say your're right and walk away. Oh, by the way, they did not get a leader. They got what was deserved --- nothing!

It is nice to know, preservation, dedication and conservation still exist. How much? Is that all? Thank you, Sir!

Maxima and the 12 dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. You should have been allowed to attend! Spirit is all it takes. Get some!

perryk said:

Paltry and trivial?..lol...

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Compared to the exorbitant cost of post- Covid airfares, guide services, accommodation, meals (crazy expensive food over here), licence, rental vehicle … yeah NZ$40 is a trivial and paltry sum to access these 18 river systems and their many tributaries. For those not wanting to pay NZ$40 on top of your licence fee, just fish the other hundreds of NZ rivers offering world class trophy brown trout and rainbow trout access.

Wh

fatbillybob said:

My mistake...thanks for the correction

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When a mistake happens, do not do it again. I have tried and seems like a revolver and repeater. How fast can I shoot me again. Shoot, Shoot -- UFO.
Time to get this party started. Yes, I am in Spirit today. Why not. Low and below. What picture of freedom did that paint. All in I hope!

Maxie.

fatbillybob said:

My mistake...thanks for the correction

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Yeah, you can fish all year, or at least all season on almost every waterway, but only five days per region on the few rivers in each of six regions being trialled under this system.

Dear Mr. Skin. You know when I retired, I worked in a grocery store -- part time, meat room. They treated me great. Gave me many $5.00 gift cards.
Fellow employees said Big Deal. I said, yes you're right. They could have given me nothing! Think the back door when the front is locked. I wanna be your back door man. Who said that?

Trespassing will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Run, my brother run.
Maxima2 how about that 1 again. A germ is under key 1. Germinate to a beautiful bush. So I may smell your spell. Take me away and give me some cool water. Thank you!

Cool water when all your taint of chemicals can not be fished out! Taint beef or chicken -- ever hear that. I am rolling! Perfect.

South Fly Fishing said:

Compared to the exorbitant cost of post- Covid airfares, guide services, accommodation, meals (crazy expensive food over here), licence, rental vehicle … yeah NZ$40 is a trivial and paltry sum to access these 18 river systems and their many tributaries. For those not wanting to pay NZ$40 on top of your licence fee, just fish the other hundreds of NZ rivers offering world class trophy brown trout and rainbow trout access.

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Or even better, wise up and go to South America for 1/3 of the price.... NZ is beautiful...but not worth the $$$ anymore.

rsagebrush said:

Better yet perhaps a surcharge on anglers from New Zealand in American waters, say $50/day, trivial, and what's good for the goose is good for the gander, ya know. Not that anyone from New Zealand would want to fish over here when they have that over there.

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Problem is heaps of Americans (and Australians) want to come to New Zealand. Don't think too many New Zealanders want to fish Pa. Just sayin

perryk said:

Or even better, wise up and go to South America for 1/3 of the price.... NZ is beautiful...but not worth the $$$ anymore.

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Sounds like a great idea. I’d love to fish more in South America too. Expensive trip but worth the cost for the experience.

allant said:

Problem is heaps of Americans (and Australians) want to come to New Zealand. Don't think too many New Zealanders want to fish Pa. Just sayin

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Well just don't tell em how nice it is here Actually I have no desire to go to New Zealand.

South Fly Fishing said:

Sounds like a great idea. I’d love to fish more in South America too. Expensive trip but worth the cost for the experience.

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Expensive from NZ?.. I can believe that... but from US... Auckland and Buenos Aires are usually within $100-150!... NZ is fantastic but it is getting outrageous...food and petrol

I'd love to fish New Zealand, and I think I will probably be able to make it happen. Honestly, NZD 264 (about $160 US Dollars) for an annual non-resident fishing license, and a NZD 40 (about $26 US dollars) per day surcharge for up to five days in a few selected areas doesn't seem unreasonable to me, especially since the money goes to protecting the resource. I read the Fish and Game link and it looks like they are making a well thought out and good faith effort to preserve the environment, prevent overcrowding, and preserve a wilderness experience for both local and visiting anglers. I think I might have a better experience going to NZ and paying an extra $26 dollars a day to fish an uncrowded river than going to some famous rivers in the US and dodging driftboats, rafters, and other anglers.

As far as comparing to Argentina goes, isn't the trout water there mostly private? I'd love to fish Argentina one day as well, but managing overcrowding on private water is a lot easier than on public water.