By Corina Jordan, NZGAC CE There are some difficult conversations happening across the country right now about the place of game animals in New Zealand, their presence in national parks, and the role of hunters in their management. Rising deer numbers across several regions show that the current system for managing game animals is not … Continue reading Tahr management – an update
Hunter role in deer management recognised through national oversight group
Over the last six months the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) has been engaging with Minister Hoggard, Minister Meager, and directly with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), about the need for meaningful hunter involvement in any national wild deer management planning. Today, the Government has announced a pilot project for wild deer management on … Continue reading Hunter role in deer management recognised through national oversight group
CEO Update January 2026: Moving towards sustainable use
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
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!