Fish & Game New Zealand has welcomed the review announced by the Conservation Minister Eugnie Sage, says New Zealand Fish and Game Council Chair Paul Shortis.
“The Minister of Conservation has announced an independent review of Fish and Game, and we look forward to working with the panel on the review,” he said.
“Fish & Game was established in 1990 and continues a proud tradition of managing sports fish and game birds on behalf of all New Zealanders. This review offers the chance to reflect on thirty years of Fish and Game’s work and to ensure we are best placed to maximise the opportunities for game bird hunters and freshwater anglers in the coming years.”
Further information on the review can be found: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fish-and-game-governance-be-reviewed
Two independent experts, former Law Commission member and former Secretary for Justice Belinda Clark and former Environment Court commissioner John Mills have been appointed to undertake the review
Belinda Clark of Wellington has recently retired from the Law Commission. She has been a CEO of several entities and has extensive expertise in organisational management, public administration and law.
John Mills of Wellington is a former Environment Court commissioner, sheep and beef farmer and former regional councillor for Environment Southland. He has significant experience in decision making around the environment and natural resources and knowledge of rural New Zealand.
“The review is limited to a health check of the governance of Fish and Game. It is not a review of Fish and Game’s statutory roles or functions. Interested parties, including licence holders, will be able to provide their views to the review panel,” said Eugenie Sage.
She said she was pleased with the support of Fish and Game’s leadership for a review and their help in progressing it.
The review panel is being supported and funded by the Department of Conservation (DOC). The panel is responsible to, and will report to, the Minister of Conservation rather than the department.
It is anticipated that the review panel will produce a report by the end of 2020.
<c> Eugenie Sage – “health check on Fish and Game”