Succulent Shellfish
 The succulent deep water oysters known to New Zealanders as Bluff oysters, can be found at the bottom
of the South Island - in Bluff, Southland. As Bluff oysters (Ostrea Angasi) are only sold on the local market, a visit down under is required to sample them (and test their
reputed aphrodisiac qualities!). The Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival celebrates the oyster season, which runs from March to August. In 2002 the event
will be held on May 4. Oysters are collected commercially only, but the Bluff and Southland area is also good for lobster-hunting and sea fishing,
with blue cod most commonly hooked.
Further Information
Venture Southland
Phone +64 3 214 9733
Email tourism@southnet.co.nz
Bluff and Southland Seafood Festival
Email bluffoysterfest@icc.govt.nz
Plenty of Mussel
The Nelson-Marlborough area at the top of the South Island is home to New Zealand’s unique green-lipped mussel (Perna Canaliculus). There
are many commercial mussel farms in operation in that region, utilising world-leading aquaculture systems. As well as being a tasty culinary
delight coveted by chefs all over the world, green-lipped mussels are reputed to have medicinal benefits. An extract from the green-shell mussel
has been successfully harvested for use in health supplements. These have been shown to aid arthritis sufferers, and assist in the treatment
of other ailments.
Truly Wild Trout
New Zealand is known as one of the world’s last frontiers for truly wild trout, its noted varieties being brown and rainbow. The trout
are found in lakes ranging from those in the volcanic Taupo-Rotorua region in the central North Island, to the South Island’s high country
lakes and the glacial-formed lakes of West Otago and Fiordland. Trout fishing in Lake Taupo is a year-round experience with most fishers opting
for summer fishing. The enthusiastic don winter protection to fly-fish during the spawning runs in the Tongariro River. Lake Taupo is home to
brown and rainbow trout and is probably the best freshwater fishing in New Zealand. For that reason, fishers need to purchase a separate fishing
licence to fish at Taupo or its tributaries - NZ $12.50 a day. Local guides can make the difference to any fishing experience and generally charge
around NZ$400- NZ$600 per day. Legal fishing hours are 5:00am to midnight and fishers need to stick to the regulations - a bag limit of three
trout of at least 45cm in size. There are other regulations that need to be adhered to in order to practise good conservation - anglers need
to check with local Department of Conservation officers or sporting goods retailers to ensure they are fishing within the law.
Licensed to Thrill
New Zealand operates 12 regional Fish and Game Councils to manage, maintain and protect species. The Government body overseeing the councils
is the New Zealand Fish and Game Council, set up in 1990. It is recommended anglers check regional regulations by consulting with local fishing
guides, as rules vary in different places. A regulation booklet is also produced by the Fish and Game Council and is available from sports shops
or from the National Office of the New Zealand Fish and Game Council. The 12 councils cover the following regions: Northland; Auckland/Waikato;
Eastern; Taranaki; Hawke’s Bay; Wellington; Nelson/Marlborough; North Canterbury; West Coast; Central South Island; Otago; Southland. Around
500 rangers throughout the country ensure regulations are followed to ensure conservation.
A fishing licence is required for trout or salmon fishing and covers the whole of New Zealand, with the exception of the Taupo region, where
a separate licence is required. A licence costs around NZ$65 and can be obtained from New Zealand sports shops and fishing guides. Hunting licences
cost NZ$60. October 1 is the first day of the freshwater fishing season and the first weekend in May is the beginning of the hunting season,
however there are regional and species-based variations in different areas.
Further Information
New Zealand Fish and Game Council
Phone +64 4 499 4767
Fax +64 4 499 4768
Email info@fishandgame.org.nz
Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater catches vary by location, from tuna and shark around Fiordland, to snapper and kingfish in the Marlborough Sounds. The far north,
around the Bay of Islands has marlin, kingfish and sporting kahawai, with terakihi available around most of the New Zealand coastline. Fly-fishing
brings a new dimension to the meaning of light tackle saltwater sport. Kahawai, an express speedster and leaper, when hooked will take with abandon
a fly cast from a boat or river mouth. Other fish species such as skipjack, tuna and trevally can give spectacular sport too.
Proper saltwater fly-fishing gear, with a 12 weight rod and all-aluminium reel, is advisable. Trout reels and rods just cannot stand the saltwater
exposure or the pace. Saltwater fly-fishing does not have the subtlety or finesse of fly-fishing for trout. It’s action-packed with jolting
strikes, searing runs and protracted battles.
Fishing may be good in the winter when still sunny days follow a crisp frost at first light, but light tackle fishing in New Zealand is usually
at its best in summer and autumn. This is when warmer water and a profusion of bait fish entice feeding schools of larger fish inshore. There
are no closed season restrictions and no licence is required.
In the 1980s the New Zealand Government moved to ban commercial long lining and to institute a moratorium on commercial marlin fishing. With
the enlightened approach and controls, game fishing surged back and, in 1995, the Bay of Islands recorded its best ever season in 70 years. In
recent years, waters off Whangarei, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty have also recorded impressive big game catches. Other areas
further south, such as Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, are emerging as big game fishing locations, with shark, bluefin tuna and even broadbill
swordfish to be taken. In the South Island, kingfish, albacore, tuna and sharks can be taken in summer.
New Zealand has a wide offering of game fishing species. Here is the best time to try and catch them:
Striped marlin: New Zealand has reputedly the largest marlin in the world and many world records to prove it. Best fishing off the East Coast
north of East Cape from December to June.
Pacific blue marlin: More rare in New Zealand. Best fishing off the East Coast north of East Cape from February to April.
Black marlin: Also comparatively rare. Best fishing off the East Coast north of East Cape from January to April.
Broadbill: A rare but prized catch, widespread in midwater and usually offshore. Best fishing from November to March.
Mako shark: Ranges from south to the bottom of the South Island but most abundant in the North Island, particularly the far north. With a streamlined
body, it is a powerful fighter and spectacular leaper. Best fishing in summer.
Thresher shark: A prized game fish most common from East Cape northwards but can range as far south as Cook Strait.
Hammerhead shark: Regularly enters New Zealand’s northern waters in summer. Other sharks such as bronze whalers and tiger can also be
caught.
Yellowtail: Known in New Zealand as kingfish, ranges from North Island to northern South Island and sometimes further south. A powerful fighter
reaching top weight of over 50 kg (120lb). Can be taken by land-based game fishing. All year round in the north, but mainly November to May in
the Marlborough Sounds.
Yellowfin tuna: Powerful fighter mainly on the East Coast north of East Cape. Whakatane is a noted yellowfin tuna base. Best fishing from December
to April.
In established sport fishing bases, such as the Bay of Islands, Mayor Island, Whakatane, Tutukaka, near Whangarei and Tauranga, charters are
readily available, supplying equipment, tackle, bait, and refreshments. Both day and overnight trips can be arranged. Charters range from $NZ700
to $1000 a day.
Charter trips have also been introduced out of Milford Sound in Fiordland, the Marlborough Sounds (Havelock) and Kaikoura regions of the South
Island. North Island charters are also available from Napier, Gisborne and New Plymouth.
Further Information
Bay of Islands Swordfish Club
Phone +64 9 403 7857
Fax +64 9 403 7847
Email swordfish@xtra.co.nz
Pacific Promotions
Paihia, Bay of Islands
Phone +64 9 402 8336
Fax +64 9 402 6776
Email marlin@fishingpro.co.nz
Whangarei Deepsea Anglers Club
Phone +64 9 434 3818
Whangaroa Big Gamefish Club
Whangaroa Harbour, Northland
Phone +64 9 405 0399
Fax +64 9 405 0659
Email wbgc@xtra.co.nz
Whakatane SportFishing Club
Kevin McCracken
Phone +64 7 307 0334
Fax +64 7 308 4977
Email whakfish@world-net.co.nz
New Zealand Fish and Game Council
Email info@fishandgame.org.nz
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