Fish and Game New Zealand
Taranaki Region
Position Title Fish and Game Officer
Responsible to: Regional Chief Executive
Location New Plymouth
Taranaki Fish and Game Council
Fish & Game Taranaki is one of 12 regional Fish and Game Councils accountable to manage, maintain and enhance sports fish and game birds, and their habitats, in the best long-term interests of present and future generations of anglers and hunters. We are a not-for-profit organisation, funded through the sale of fishing and hunting licenses.
The Role
The Fish and Game Officer contributes to fish and game management activities in the Taranaki region (and occasionally Wellington region) working usually independently with minimal supervision and with support from the Senior Fish and Game Officer or Regional Chief Executive
Key Relationships
External
Licence holders
Government departments (eg Dept. of Conservation
Local and Regional authorities
Landowners
Iwi
General public
Internal
Regional Chief Executive
Fish and Game Officers
Environmental/Technical staff
Administrative staff
Fish and Game staff in other regions
NZ Council staff
Authorities
This role does not hold any financial or staffing accountabilities.
The incumbent will, from time-to-time lead volunteers in specific projects
Accountabilities
Species Management
Assist with species management activities as delegated by the Senior Fish and Game Officer:
- e.g., population and harvest surveys, fish liberations
Contribute to monitoring fish and game bird populations as defined in the Taranaki Fish and Game Annual Business Plan.
Assigned surveys of sports fish and game bird populations.
Interviews with sports fish anglers and game bird hunters to undertake harvest surveys.
Provide recommendations for fish and game season conditions as appropriate.
As required co-ordinate or undertake crop damage mitigation measures
Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement
Support and training will be provided for all compliance, monitoring and enforcement procedures
Assist with the following as delegated by the Senior Fish and Game Officer:
- Relevant statutory processes and applications
- Compliance activities
Ensure offence recording systems are maintained.
Undertake relevant statutory processes and applications (e.g., resource consent applications, resource management planning procedures, conservation management planning procedures) and other publicly notified matters liable to affect sports fish and game bird resources to ensure they are monitored and responded to as appropriate.
Undertake relevant statutory processes and applications and other publicly notified matters liable to affect the interests of anglers and hunters to ensure they are monitored and responded to as appropriate.
Contribute to the law enforcement procedures undertaken and coordinated at key times of the fish and game seasons. This may involve work over the weekends and the requirements to coordinate responses to after- hours compliance activities.
Complete prosecutions and compliance reporting as required.
Participate in warranted officer training, supervision and motivation.
.
Habitat Protection & Enhancement
Assist with the following as delegated by the Senior Fish and Game Officer:
- Management of fish and game habitat areas (including access to habitats).
Assist with the management of fish and game managed habitat areas as defined in the Taranaki Fish and Game’s annual business plan .
Ensure access to wetland habitats managed by the Council is maintained.
Maintain the field equipment necessary for management of Wildlife Management Reserves
Public Awareness and Education
Co-ordination of public awareness events as directed.
Contribute to Fish and Game advocacy to local government and other relevant agencies through Resource Management Act mechanisms. This involves representing the Council’s interests in resource consent applications or developing submissions in response to regional planning processes.
Contribution provided to Fish and Game magazine and regional newsletters.
Relationship management
Develop and maintain positive and professional working relationships with other agencies and individuals including local government, Department of Conservation, iwi, consultants, and landholders.
Organisational Responsibilities
All employees of Fish and Game across the 12 Regional Councils and in the National Council office are responsible to
Adhere to all Council and local Fish & Game policies and processes (e.g., health and safety, HR, procurement) are adhered to.
Share Knowledge organisation-wide.
Represent Fish & Game appropriately as required.
Maintain effective relationships with funders and other organisations
Competencies and Capabilities
Qualifications and Knowledge
Ideally undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, environmental science or equivalent experience
Knowledge of and technical skills related to freshwater fish, river and wetland management and general biology and botany.
Knowledge of ecology, especially as it relates to the habitats of sports fish and game birds.
Knowledge of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Experience
Practical field or outdoor experience
3+years’ experience in field delivery work and environmental advocacy
Experience in compliance interactions.
Understanding and experience with the issues facing recreational angling and hunting.
Understanding of the principles of sustainable harvest of populations.
Leading and supporting volunteers in the field
Personal Attributes
A love for the outdoors
Desire to spend at least part of your working day outdoors
Interest in fishing and hunting
Great communication skills - written and oral (you will need to be able to talk with people and explain “why”
Able to work independently, and yet
Be an effective team member
Keen to learn and grow your career
Applications close: 5.00pm, Thursday 5 November 2026