New Zealand's coalition government has reversed course on controversial plans to remove recreational fishing size limits after fierce backlash.

Stuff reports this is a rare policy defeat for the National-led government. Mate, when this government backs down, you know the pushback was serious.

Conservation groups and recreational fishers mobilized against the proposal. Even recreational fishers largely opposed the change, recognizing size limits protect future fishing. The government's retreat suggests it miscalculated fisheries management politics.

This could embolden opposition to other environmental rollbacks the government pursues. When recreational users themselves oppose changes, the political case collapses.