This Act is composed of 73 sections and 10 Schedules. The principal aim of the Act is to provide for the protection and control of wild animals and birds, the regulation of game shooting seasons, and the constitution and powers of Fish and Game Councils.
Part 1, entitled "Protection of Wildlife", contains sections on wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife refuges and wildlife management reserves. Conservation management strategies and plans are spelled out in sections 14B to 14I.
Part 2 on game regulates open and closed seasons for hunting and killing in game areas, licences and the sale of game and shooting rights which are prohibited.
Part 3 on administration allows for the creation of wildlife districts, determines the powers of rangers, including Fish and Game Council rangers, and the powers of the Minister and Director General of Conservation. The Act establishes the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board, as a body corporate whose functions, among others, are: to primarily improve New Zealand's game bird habitat and secondarily to improve the habitat of other wildlife; to identify and evaluate areas of New Zealand worthy of protection, restoration, improvement, creation, or procurement primarily as game bird habitat and secondarily as habitat for other wildlife; and to negotiate, where appropriate, the protection, restoration, improvement, creation, or procurement of game bird habitat with landowners.
Part 4 regulates the destruction of injurious birds and Part 5 contains general provisions such as on ownership of animals, homing of pigeons and powers to authorize taking or killing of wildlife for certain purposes. The remainder of the Act concerns offences and penalties, repeals, savings and consequential amendments to other Acts as well as a series of schedules listing different categories of wildlife.
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the protection and control of wild animals and birds, the regulation of game shooting seasons, and the constitution and powers of acclimatisation societies.
Date of consolidation/reprint 06 May 2022 Entry into force notes This Act enters into force on 1 April 1954. Consolidated version of the Act as of 6 May 2022. Source language Legislation status Legislation Amendment Amended by on 08 Jun 2010 on 15 Nov 2010 on 23 Dec 2023 Implemented by on 26 Feb 2007 on 31 Mar 1987 on 03 Sep 2007 on 26 Apr 2005 on 01 Apr 1987 on 01 Apr 1987 on 01 Apr 1987 on 26 Apr 2005 on 01 Apr 1987 on 01 Apr 1987 on 26 Apr 2005 on 01 Apr 1987 on 01 Apr 1987 on 26 Apr 2005 on 01 Apr 1987 on 03 Sep 2009 on 03 Sep 2009 on 03 Sep 2009 on 31 Mar 1987 on 03 Sep 2007 on 25 Jan 2005 on 27 Feb 2012 on 17 Jul 2012 on 10 Jul 2012 on 17 Jul 2012 on 30 Jun 2015 on 22 Mar 2018 on 05 Apr 2019 on 03 Sep 2007This website is supported by and contributing to the InforMEA Project which is funded by the European Union
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