Plan to bring spin fishing to Ruakituri fails

John MacPherson

A proposal to introduce spin fishing to the Ruakituri River has been rejected.

Landowners on the river west of Wairoa were threatening to end angler access if Fish and Game allowed spin fishing.

Ruakituri Residents Association chairman John MacPherson said spin fishers would "wreck something that we have helped to protect".

Eastern Fish and Game regional manager Rob Pitkethley said opening up parts of the river to spin fishers would not threaten the fishery and encourage more anglers.

The proposal received 41 submissions in opposition and nine in favour before being tabled for the council to vote on. It voted to maintain the status quo, instead of allowing a 12-month season and spin fishing on 19 kilometres of the river's lower reaches.

Local landowner Davis Canning said it if it had not been for the strong stand taken by landowners, the fishing regulations would have changed.

Local residents were fed up with fighting the proposal; this was the third time in 14 years.

Mr Canning said the proposal threatened the river's status as one of the few in the North Island where only fly fishing was allowed along its length, making it an international tourist attraction.

The Department of Conservation's Helen Neale attended the Fish and Game meeting as an observer. "I think the decision that was made on the day was a good one," she said.

The matter would be open to change again in two years.

"The most important thing is they follow a good process and consult widely."