Wildlife Act 1953

Protection of wildlife

5: Certain wildlife partially protected

You could also call this:

"Some wildlife in New Zealand has partial protection, meaning it's safe in most places but can be hunted in certain situations."

You can find some wildlife that is partially protected in the Schedule 2 list. This protection applies everywhere in New Zealand, unless the schedule says otherwise. The protection is for certain types of wildlife.

If wildlife from the Schedule 2 list is on someone's land and is causing damage, the person who lives on the land can hunt or kill the wildlife. They must follow any rules that are in place.

You are not allowed to hunt or kill wildlife in a special protected area, like a wildlife sanctuary, unless you have special permission from section 11, section 14, or section 54.

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This page was last updated on 24 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM277093.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Conservation

4: Certain wildlife declared to be game, or

"Some animals are called game, which means they can be hunted, as listed in Schedule 1."

6: Certain wildlife may be hunted subject to conditions imposed by the Minister, or

"Some wildlife can be hunted if you follow the Minister's rules"

Part 1Protection of wildlife

5Certain wildlife partially protected

The wildlife for the time being specified in Schedule 2 is hereby declared to be partially protected, and that protection shall apply throughout New Zealand, except where that schedule otherwise provides.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, when any injury or damage to any land or to any property on any land has arisen owing to the presence on the land of any wildlife for the time being specified in Schedule 2, the occupier of the land or any other person with the authority of the occupier may hunt or kill on the land any such wildlife, subject to any regulations for the time being in force under this Act: provided that nothing in this subsection shall authorise the hunting or killing of any wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary or wildlife refuge except pursuant to an authority granted under section 11 or section 14 or section 54.

Compare

1921–22 No 57 s 4(1)