A lot of ducks will survive Saturday's opening day, and the season that follows, thanks to "unacceptable" delays by the police in processing firearms licensing applications according to Act MP Nicole McKee.
"Police put out a press release this week claiming they are making 'significant progress' in clearing application delays, but figures obtained by Act show thousands of people are waiting months for both new applications and licence renewals," McKee said.
"Police have said the most helpful thing to do is apply four months in advance, but the figures we obtained show almost 5000 applications have taken longer than six months, and 1382 have taken 12 months or longer."
New Zealand had a proud tradition of hunting and shooting, she said, and the duck shooting season was for many people a chance to bond with friends or mates and provide food for the family.
"Law-abiding firearms licence holders in New Zealand have put up with a lot under this government.
