Former Southland Fish & Game councillor David Linklater made claims about the organisation and specifically manager Zane Moss earlier in the month, stating they did not represent anglers and were supporting their own agenda.
In a statement provided to the Otago Daily Times, Southland Fish & Game said it had engaged a lawyer and denied these claims. Chairman David MacGregor said the organisation was standing behind its staff, both past and present.
"Mr Moss and his team have done an incredible job through a difficult period on behalf and at the direction of the council.
"Further to that, our previous chairman, Lindsay Withington, had the unwavering support and confidence of the governors."
Mr MacGregor said there were previous issues with Mr Linklater’s conduct on the council, several occasions leading to him being censured and him apologising, and then resigning, and he was not happy to see him join the attack against Fish & Game.
"It is disappointing that Mr Linklater has now joined what has become a sustained misinformation and attack campaign on our manager through the media."
Mr Linklater served briefly on the Southland Fish & Game executive committee, which was responsible for ensuring management met organisational expectations, and at no stage raised any concerns to the committee about Mr Moss’s performance, Mr MacGregor said.
He and the council fully supported Mr Moss and his staff to follow policy directions set out by the democratically elected Southland Fish & Game council, and the organisation as whole, to represent the anglers and hunters in the region, he said.
"Southland Fish & Game Council is firmly committed to promoting fishing and hunting on behalf of our licence holders and advocating for healthy habitat to support their activities, that benefit all New Zealanders."
