Newly appointed Minister James’ Meager (left) on the 2024 Parliamentary hunt
We welcome you to the first advocacy alert of 2025, which details important ministerial changes set to influence the future of the Government’s Hunting and Fishing portfolio.
Last Friday we had a significant shift in the ministerial leadership affecting the hunting and fishing sectors - James Meager MP has been appointed as the new Minister for Hunting and Fishing.
Representing Rangitata, Minister Meager was new to government at the last election but has since gained extensive experience in legislative affairs, notably as the chair of the Justice Select Committee, which positions him well to lead on issues pertinent to hunting and firearms use (a key issue facing hunters, as firearms are an essential tool of our sport).
Minister Meager's appointment is anticipated to bring a renewed focus on enhancing access, listening to the concerns of the hunting sector, and fostering recreational hunting and big game management. His previous work, which includes significant exposure to the Clubs and Ranges Amendment Bill, signals he will have an understanding of the complexities involved in recreational hunting.
Minister Meager went on the 2024 Parliamentary hunt, hosted by Game Animal Council, and wrote the following on his social media in October 2024:
“Game animal management by hunters and volunteers is a crucial tool in keeping introduced game species numbers to a sustainable level which protects the environment but also provides for recreational hunting and food gathering. This was a really valuable insight into how we can best use communities and empower locals to be part our conservation efforts.”
NZDA fully supports Minister Meager’s above sentiment, and we thank the GAC team for taking him sika hunting and introducing him to our hunting culture.
The Association also recognises the contributions of the outgoing Minister, Hon. Todd McClay, who has been instrumental in advancing the interests of the hunting and fishing community. McClay’s keenness to engage with NZDA and be a voice for hunters has significantly influenced policy development and implementation within DOC and GAC, having kick-started the Herds of Special Interest process for sika, wapiti and tahr, and most significantly he put in place the Access Charter. Minister McClay fully supported the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition in 2023 and 2024 during his time as Minister. The Association extends its gratitude for his service and the enduring impact of his tenure.
Given Hon. McClay’s extensive experience and his ongoing current role in Cabinet, it is anticipated that he will continue to support Minister Meager in navigating the complexities of the new portfolio. This collaboration is crucial as there remain significant issues to be addressed to improve the conditions for recreational hunting in New Zealand.
With the change in leadership, several challenges and opportunities arise. Minister Meager's role, though positioned outside of the Cabinet, offers unique avenues for policy change and law reform. The Association is confident that Minister Meager is the right person to address these challenges and will know how to make effective change in the best interests of the hunting and fishing community.
NZDA has written to the incoming Minister seeking the opportunity to meet and provide a brief on NZDA and the issues facing the recreational hunting and shooting community. We expressed our commitment to working with the government to ensure that hunting interests and traditions are not only preserved, but also enhanced under the new ministerial leadership.
We farewell Hon. Minister McClay (right), featured in a photo with NZDA’s CEO Gwyn Thurlow at NZDA’s Head Office.
About Minister James Meager
James Meager, 37, is the National MP for Rangitata. He was born and raised Timaru with family from both Mid and South Canterbury. After gaining a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago. He went on to work for National MP Chris Bishop, as a press secretary for then-Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, and as an advisor to opposition leaders Bill English and Simon Bridges. James then spent three years with Simpson Grierson in Wellington and Christchurch, including as a senior solicitor in the public law litigation team.
In The News & Social Media
From James on Social Media
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Stopping in to Davo's Fishing Hunting Sport in Timaru to grab my new Fish & Game season licence and sea-run salmon licence! |
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Quick catch up with Hunting and Fishing New Zealand, Timaru’s Alister Jones in store today to pick his brains about what’s important to hunters in South Canterbury. |
James Meager has been tracking his first steps as newly appointed Minister on social media.
While the media has a strong current interest in his South Island appointment, Hunting and Fishing visits has been his first port of call.
“I met a few of his really cool staff, including Akaylea who is currently going for her firearms licence, telling me how she found the process very accessible for novice hunters. Something I’m looking forward to getting stuck into as well with quite a few hands-on-hunting-experiences being lined up this year already.”
View and follow James’ Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/JamesMeagerMP
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