Fish and Game to undergo 'organisational health check' in ministerial review

Environment Minister Eugenie Sage.
Environment Minister Eugenie Sage. Photo credit: Getty

The agency responsible for managing the country's game bird hunting and freshwater fishing is to undergo a ministerial review, Environment Minister Eugenie Sage announced on Wednesday. 

The targeted review will give a "health check of the governance" of the agency. 

"It is not a review of Fish and Game's statutory roles or functions," Sage said. 

"The laws governing Fish and Game were enacted some 30 years ago. An organisational health check is timely to make sure Fish and Game's governance and organisational arrangements are fit for purpose today."

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.

Paul Shortis, chair of the New Zealand Fish and Game Council, says the agency welcomes the decision.

"We look forward to working with the panel on the review," Shortis says.

"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."

The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year.