Press Release

New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association welcomes release of the Select Committee report on the Game Animal Council Bill.

The report of the Select Committee is a step forward in what has been a long battle to get some recreational hunter input to the management of game animals in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) as the largest body representing recreational hunters, has a long history of advocating for recognition of both animals as valued introduced species and hunters as the principal management tool.

‘The Game Animal Council will not deliver everything hunters had wanted but will be a step forward from where we have been for so many frustrating years,’ said a spokes person for NZDA.

‘The proposed legislation, with amendments recommended by the select committee, would provide a mechanism that would enable advice to be provided to the Minister from the sectors that have specific interests in game animals. This advice would result in better management of game animals with due regard to conservation values.’

NZDA thanks the select committee and its efforts in bringing forward this report. It notes with regret the dissenting minority views of the Labour and Green members of the committee but looks forward to the Council being able to work collaboratively with all parties.

NZDA pays special tribute to the Hon Peter Dunne for his support in progressing the bill to this stage.

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