HFOs, who support full-time Fisheries New Zealand officers, are responsible for about 40% of recreational compliance work across the country. This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together, aptly captures the collaborative spirit these 180-plus volunteers embody as they patrol coastlines, monitor fishing activity, and engage directly with the public.
Steve Ham, Fisheries New Zealand’s Director of Fisheries Compliance, says the strength of the HFO programme lies in its people.
“Our HFOs give up their time to provide education and advice on fishing rules while keeping a close eye on activities on the water and the shore. They play a critical role in ensuring the sustainability of our fisheries.”
Established in Auckland in 1967, the HFO programme began as a grassroots initiative, enabling community members to contribute directly to safeguarding local fish stocks. Today, HFOs are warranted officers under the Fisheries Act, wear official uniforms, and receive comprehensive training to carry out their duties effectively.
Their work is not only preventative but sometimes pivotal in enforcement. In a recent case, an off-duty HFO in Manukau spotted individuals gathering cockles at Auckland’s closed Eastern Beach. Thanks to a quick call to the 0800 4 POACHER hotline, fishery officers apprehended the offenders—who had 1,348 cockles in their possession—and they now face likely prosecution.
In another incident, patrolling HFOs responded to a tip-off and found 1,442 oysters hidden in the boot of a car at Waitawa Regional Park. The culprits, caught red-handed, will also likely be prosecuted.
That said, recreational and commercial fishing vessel patrols have been consistently active. In the past year, Fisheries officers conducted around 3,000 inspections of recreational fishing boats, uncovering multiple offences including undersize or excess catch. Overall, about 4,000 fishing-related offences (both recreational and commercial) were recorded, with recreational compliance hovering at 94%. These figures indicate that boat-based patrols—including unsung contributions from HFOs—are occurring regularly and are integral to driving up compliance.
Despite the serious nature of their work, much of what HFOs do is educational.
“They’re out there having conversations, answering questions, and helping new and experienced fishers understand the rules,” says Ham. “And with a national compliance rate of 94%, their efforts are clearly making an impact.”
Each HFO contributes at least 100 hours of voluntary service annually and collectively conducts between 11,000 and 14,000 inspections per year. Fishers can support this effort by downloading the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app or contacting HFO@mpi.govt.nz to learn how to get involved.
