Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Wildlife Act 1953

General provisions

57: Ownership of animals

You could also call this:

"Who owns wild animals in New Zealand"

When you have a special permit under section 53 of the Wildlife Act, you own the game you catch. The government owns most wild animals, except those listed in Schedule 5. If you catch or kill an animal legally, it belongs to you, but you must prove you did it legally.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM278118.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
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Part 5General provisions

57Ownership of animals

  1. Repealed

  2. For the purposes of this Act, the property in any game in the possession or under the control of any person by virtue of any authority issued under subsection (2) of section 53 shall be deemed to be vested in the holder of the authority.

  3. All wildlife, other than wildlife that is for the time being specified in Schedule 5, shall be deemed to be vested in the Crown: provided that where any such wildlife (not being absolutely protected wildlife) has been lawfully taken or killed pursuant to this Act or to any regulations under this Act (the proof of which shall be on the person claiming the same) it shall cease to be the property of the Crown, and the property in that wildlife shall be deemed to be vested in the person by whom it was so taken or killed: provided further that nothing in this subsection shall have effect so as to impose any obligation or liability on the Crown in respect of damage done by any wildlife.

Compare
  • 1921–22 No 57 ss 28, 29(2)
Notes
  • Section 57(1): repealed, on , by section 82(a) of the Conservation Law Reform Act 1990 (1990 No 31).
  • Section 57(3): amended, on , by section 82(b) of the Conservation Law Reform Act 1990 (1990 No 31).