Licence

From the 2025/26 season, both adults on a Fish & Game family licence will have equal rights — a change that directly benefits women, who are most often the second adult on the licence. That means each adult now has their own licence, can fish independently, and can vote or stand in Fish & Game elections. From 2026/27, both will also receive Fish & Game communications. The push for change Since 2022, Women on the Fly has raised the family licence issue repeatedly with Fish & Game. The University of Otago’s Women Anglers in Aotearoa survey in 2022–23 also highlighted the problem. Women said they wanted the same rights as the “primary” holder on a family licence. It was a simple request, and one that made sense. What’s changed Fish & Game has now listened and acted. Both adults are recognised equally. The key changes are: Looking ahead While 13% of individual licence holders are women, this rises to around 30% when considering women listed as the secondary adult on a family licence. If women angled at the same rate as men, we could see up to 60,000 more enjoying our rivers and lakes. This change is positive for women, … Read more