Kiwi fishers are being warned about an overseas-based website offering its services to help purchase fishing licences.
The Fish Assistant website, which is not authorised by Fish & Game NZ, offers anglers fishing licences at a significantly higher cost to the user than purchasing a licence through the Fish & Game website.
"Anglers have reported being significantly over-charged or not receiving the licence they have paid for, which poses a real risk for anglers when they get approached by our compliance team in the field as they may be fishing illegally," Fish & Game said in a statement.
The rogue website also has altered fishing licences to remove the purchase price to prevent anglers from knowing the actual costs of purchasing them from Fish & Game.
Fish & Game said it thinks approximately 150 licences have been purchased through the Fish Assistant website.
"There is only one authorised place to purchase your fishing licence online, and that's the Fish & Game NZ website," chief executive Corina Jordan said.
"We're concerned those people looking to buy a licence will pay a premium through the Fish Assistant website when they can easily buy one online for a reasonable price on the Fish & Game website. People can also purchase a licence in-store at one of our partner retail outlets or a Fish & Game office nationwide.
"We're disappointed this website is pulling the wool over people's eyes by suggesting it is difficult to purchase a fishing licence in New Zealand when it is, in fact, very simple and quick. Fish & Game also has teams around the country who are happy to provide free advice and information," Jordan said.
She said the company are also concerned customers credit card details have been compromised because the site doesn't have an accredited payment system.
"After legal advice, Fish & Game has been liaising with the Department of Conservation, which is also affected by this website and recommends anyone who has used the fish assistant website to contact the NZ Police."
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