A ban on hunting under Covid-19 alert level 3 has been lifted.

But hunting on public land, to target the last stag of the roar, and the start of the duck hunting season will be postponed until Alert Level 2.

Hunting had not been allowed since New Zealand moved to alert level 4, but a shift to Level 3 next Tuesday morning will mean hunters can again hunt locally – as long as they have the landholder's permission and stick to the rules, Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said.

Supplied New Zealand duck-calling champion, and top-ranking world champion, Hunter Morrow, 22, of Wanaka.

Last week the ban was described as an "error" by Robertson, as the Government came under pressure to allow the activity.

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Hunting had been deemed risky and was banned under the lockdown, and according to Government advice issued last week, the outdoor activity would remain banned. But the Government reconsidered.

On Thursday, Robertson said Cabinet had agreed hunting on private land would be allowed under alert level 3, so long as hunters stayed within their region and stuck to their bubble.

PETER MEECHAM/STUFF Hunting had been deemed risky and was banned under the lockdown but the Government reconsidered.

Hunters will be able to hunt on private land with special restrictions but not on public conservation land.

Hunting would only be permitted on foot and overnight trips are not allowed.

The use of quad bikes, off-road bikes, helicopters and other motorised vehicles were prohibited, he said.

"W e know that hunting is an important part of life for many New Zealanders, and in some cases a critical source of food. At level 3 we also need to minimise the risk of losing the great progress we've made together in alert level 4 in stamping out the virus. We have to strike a balance, and that's why these rules are designed to allow hunting in a limited way," Robertson said.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said hunting on public conservation land would not be allowed until alert level 2.

GETTY IMAGES Finance Minister Grant Robertson is giving an update on the Government's Covid-19 response on Friday afternoon. (File photo)

"While many hunters may want to head to popular spots on public land to target the last stag of the roar, under alert level 3 hunting on public conservation land will remain off limits."

This would help with consistency across walking and mountain biking where people must stay local, rather than travelling to back country conservation land, she said.

"The start of the duck hunting season is being postponed from Saturday 2 May to start on the second weekend after that date that is decided for when New Zealand moves to alert level 2. The season will also end later," Sage said.

"I know this is disappointing but for many duck hunters the social interaction around hunting is an important part of the activity, especially at opening weekend. The risks associated with groups of people coming together is too high."

The two-week delay to the start of the season was made in consultation with the New Zealand Fish and Game Council, she said.

Three time New Zealand duck-calling champion Hunter Morrow, 22, of Wanaka, said he hoped everyone would stick to the new season opening.

"I really hope we don't have idiots that think they are invisible who go out on May 2 and shoot anyway. I can tell you there possibly will be some of those people who will make us as the hunting community look really bad. I hope like hell that doesn't happen."

He always had faith Fish & Game would do their best to keep the duck-hunting season open, he said.

"For me and many duck hunters around New Zealand it's a lifestyle and a livelihood. For me and my family we base our lives off it. It's part of what we do. It's our tradition. It is what we love to do – duck hunt, and put food on the table.

"I can speak for many people around the country, it's our favourite three months of the year."

Due to the conditions with many not being able to work and money being scarce, being out hunting was a great way to gather meat without having to spend a huge amount, he said.

He would usually spend opening season weekend on the Waitaki River - which was out of his region - so he would have to change plans this year and hunt locally, he said.

"I hunt every weekend for the entire three months and could be in Ellesmere in Christchurch or in Invercargill so it's going to be different if we can't travel ... either way, it is about getting out there and enjoying it."

Invercargill Hunting and Fishing owner Gerald MacRae said he had already started receiving calls from excited hunters who had "got the juice early".

"We are delighted ... the new shopping practises is going to be the challenging part of it with everyone queuing now but everyone is used to standing in queues and it's our responsibility to make sure the community and staff are safe."

MacRae's 7-year-old son had been "cracking the whip" asking when they were going duck hunting, he said.

"I think kudos goes to the Fish & Game. I know they have worked with the minister and Fish & Game Council."

Retailers were on the "knife edge" with lockdown stopping trade and allowing duck hunting season to continue was part of helping the province get up and running again, he said.

"I have 11 staff and it flows onto them. It's very much looking at it altogether. As they say, we are all in this together and the more retailers get support the more society gets supported."

Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Martin Taylor said based on current Government projections, the opening day would likely be mid-May or early June.

The game bird season would not open on Queen's Birthday weekend specifically to avoid Moving Day on June 1 - an important date in the rural calendar when large numbers of farmers move to new farms, he said.

"Fish & Game New Zealand have been working with the government to ensure the best possible options for the 2020 game bird season. It has been a complex task to ensure the fight against Covid-19 continues, while still providing the best experience for game bird hunters."



Fish & Game New Zealand would be undertaking compliance work throughout the game bird season and prior to the season to make sure that the new season dates were being adhered to.

