By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, New Zealand Game Animal Council A belated happy New Year to you all. I hope you are having a nice summer, and if you got out for a hunt, have been safe and successful. I’ve spoken before in these updates about how the GAC is seeking changes to current management … Continue reading CEO Update January 2026: Moving towards sustainable use
GAC submissions on Sika and Wapiti HOSI herd management plans
The Minister for Hunting and Fishing recently consulted on draft herd management plans for New Zealand’s first ever Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) – the proposed Sika HOSI in the Central North Island and Wapiti HOSI in Fiordland. Submissions closed 8 December 2025. About HOSI A HOSI is a herd of game animals on public … Continue reading GAC submissions on Sika and Wapiti HOSI herd management plans
CEO Update December 2025: Hunt safely this holiday season
By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, NZ Game Animal Council Summer is a chance for many of us to slow down and enjoy time in the backcountry, however the fundamentals of safe and ethical hunting don’t take a holiday. Weather in the backcountry can change quickly, even on blue-sky days so check the long-range forecast, take … Continue reading CEO Update December 2025: Hunt safely this holiday season
Planning your hunt with Better Hunting
This originally appeared in the October/November 2024 edition of the NZ Hunter magazine A beginner’s guide to planning a safe and successful hunt with Better Hunting One of the big steps for new hunters is taking the lead and going solo. Often, it’s easy to follow our mates on a hunt, but taking the step … Continue reading Planning your hunt with Better Hunting
2024-2025 GAC Annual Report
Our 2024-2025 Annual Report is now available online. It provides a snapshot on some of the work we do, including providing advice, Better Hunting, wild game meat donation, Herds of Special Interest, and more. Check it out here (PDF File).
The Stalk – Summer 2025-2026
The summer edition of our email newsletter 'The Stalk' has just hit inboxes. There are heaps of updates in it, including: Quarterly update from GAC Chair Grant Dodson Herds of Special Interest CEO update Firearms Better Hunting And more! Read the summer 2025-2026 edition of The Stalk here. Didn’t receive it straight to your inbox? … Continue reading The Stalk – Summer 2025-2026
GAC (HOSI) Amendment Bill passes second reading
The Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill (the Bill) passed its second reading in Parliament on Thursday 20 November 2025. You can watch the video of the second reading on NZDA’s YouTube channel here. The Bill aims to make the law clear, in that the Minister for Hunting and Fishing can establish … Continue reading GAC (HOSI) Amendment Bill passes second reading
Have your say on Sika and Wapiti HOSI management
The Minister for Hunting and Fishing is currently consulting on draft herd management plans for New Zealand’s first ever Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) – the proposed Sika HOSI in the Central North Island and Wapiti HOSI in Fiordland. HOSI represents a new approach to the management of New Zealand’s most valued game animal herds. … Continue reading Have your say on Sika and Wapiti HOSI management
2025 Hunting trends – enter to win!
Better Hunting is two years old! What do you want from it or NZ hunter education next? Share your ideas about improving hunter education in New Zealand. Have your say and make sure what you would find useful is on the radar. Complete the Better Hunting learner survey here. Bonus: For 2025 we’re trialing expanding … Continue reading 2025 Hunting trends – enter to win!
CEO Update November 2025: Have your say on a new era in game animal management
By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, New Zealand Game Animal Council Over the next few weeks Kiwis have a real opportunity to shape the future for two of New Zealand’s most loved hunting and recreational experiences. Draft herd management plans have been released for a Sika Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka … Continue reading CEO Update November 2025: Have your say on a new era in game animal management