6 FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE Editorial O ver the past couple of years, it feels that our fishing stocks have been under constant attack from this current Government, and particularly Minister Shane Jones. He has made it abundantly clear that he intends to give more fish quota and change the rules to help his mates in the commercial fishing industry. He was eyeing up marlin, which can only be caught and landed by recreational anglers in this country, for the commercial operators to legally land. But this motivated kiwi anglers in 2025 into action with a great showing of passion and strength with boat convoys over the harbour bridge and thousands of submissions against this move. Then not long after he thankfully bowed to public pressure to leave marlin alone, but he then wanted to let undersized and baby snapper be allowed to be taken in commercial nets! This created an even bigger uproar, as this species really is seen as our national fish and an important staple for every kiwi angler around the length of the North Island and top of the South. The tornado of outrage was such that even the Prime Minister had to step in to strike this proposal from Shane Jones’ Fisheries Amendment Bill, that a Select Committee is now considering. The Bill is all about one thing, making more money by exporting our fish and subsiding commercial operators, while not helping improve the fish stocks that us kiwis all depend on to help feed our own families. Let’s Kill the Bill now! We only have until the 29th of April to speak up. Please read LegaSea’s informative article in this issue on the key problems with this Bill and click the link to visit their website to make your submission against it before the end of April deadline. All kiwi anglers who care about fishing in Godzone, the ocean, our fish stocks, and the future for our kids and their kids, must make a stand now! Mathew Hewetson Editor at large FISHING IN GODZONE Issue #72 COVER PHOTO Hooked up on a 70cm+ snapper at the Rurima Islands onboard the Surtees 770 XL Grand Prize for the 2026 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. EDITOR AT LARGE Mathew Hewetson WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Scott Cushman, LegaSea, Alex Burton, Matt Strachan DESIGN Blockstart www.blockstart.co.nz PUBLISHER Marlin Marketing Limited Mathew Hewetson 022 355 0588 mathew@marlinmarketing.co.nz Fishing In Godzone is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publishers. All copy, photos or other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled "not for publication". Opinions expressed from such content are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 2382 – 1655 fishingingodzone.co.nz /fishingingodzone Digital Issue #72 2026 The editor’s 10-year-old son Beau with a trev off the beach on the west coast. Will these plentiful species be as abundant for him as an adult to catch on the rod in the future?
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