An exchange of letters between the two groups involving accusation and counter-accusation has led to a situation where, in its latest correspondence with the Otago council, the national body accuses Otago's representative, Dave Witherow, of breaching national governance policies and being self-serving and destructive.
There are 12 independent fish and game councils in New Zealand which each elect a representative to sit on the national council, which is charged with advocacy and co-ordinating council activities.
"We will have strong decisions to make ... about the whole situation to do with the New Zealand council," Otago chairman Monty Wright said, when contacted.
Relationships had been strained for some time, due to dissatisfaction with national advocacy and came to a head last November when the Otago council passed a motion of no-confidence in the New Zealand council's chief executive.
The latest letter from national council chairman Rob Roney was in reply to one from the Otago council outlining concerns about "lapses in good governance" in relation to decision-making around an audit of the Central South Island council.
The Otago letter, over Mr Wright's signature, had said: "There seems to be an unacceptable informality creeping in to NZC decision-making, which is denying our appointee the opportunity to conscientiously do his job as an NZC governor."
Mr Roney's reply said it seemed Mr Witherow had been "selective and misleading" in his use of information.
His performance was against NZC governance policies, had hardly been "exemplary" and a "quick perusal" suggested he had breached about nine policies in 12 months, he alleged.
"While sometimes colourful, this has now worn a bit thin.
"He acts on his own account and, in my opinion, is now perceived by many within the NZC as self-serving and destructive."
He said Mr Witherow's attempts to re-litigate issues and decisions previously dealt with by the council were detracting from the council's ability to get on with its business and were "beginning to frustrate councillors".
Mr Witherow is hunting in South Westland until the weekend and could not be contacted.
Mr Wright said on Monday the council needed to re-think its relationship with the national body as a lot of time and energy was being absorbed by the issue without any results.
It was "unfortunate" Mr Witherow was the messenger as Otago's representative, he said.
He had concerns about Mr Witherow's role on the national council as his "emotive language had caused a lot of problems", he said.
"His role is compromised at present."
Otago Fish and Game chief executive Niall Watson said a meeting between the two councils had been proposed to address some of the issues, but it had not yet eventuated.
"The [Otago] council just wants to put its point of view and for the New Zealand council to simply take notice [of its concerns]."
It was up to the national council to deal with any issues they had regarding Mr Witherow at a national level, he said.
However, Mr Roney said in an email to the Otago Daily Times he had made the Otago council aware of his concerns and Mr Witherow "is their appointee to the NZ council".
