Some "outstanding" hunting is in store for game bird hunters when the new season opens on Saturday if the weather plays its part, according to Fish and Game.
The season kicks off on May 4, with some regions in both North and South islands anticipating their best seasons for some time.
Fish and Game communications advisor Richard Cosgrove said that rain that had fallen over large parts of the country in recent weeks topped up dam and pond levels after a hot summer and restored river flows.
In the Auckland/Waikato region Fish and Game field staff are reporting healthy duck numbers.
Staff in the region say that it had been a great season for mallard breeding.