Hon James Meager, Minister for Hunting and Fishing today announced that two draft HOSI herd management plans will be available for public feedback from Monday 10 November. The plans propose objectives for managing the sika herd in Central North Island and the wapiti herd in Fiordland. It also sets out how these objectives are intended … Continue reading Have your say – help shape HOSI
GAC to support Fish & Game through CEO secondment
The New Zealand Game Animal Council (GAC) has confirmed its support for a proposal by New Zealand Fish & Game for current GAC CEO Corina Jordan to be seconded as CEO of both Fish & Game and the GAC for a twelve-month period beginning on 15 September 2025. GAC Chair Grant Dodson says the arrangement … Continue reading GAC to support Fish & Game through CEO secondment
Opinion: Adaptive management must be the future for NZs wild deer
By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, New Zealand Game Animal Council New Zealand has an opportunity to lead the world in progressive, evidence-based deer management that benefits indigenous biodiversity, hunting and communities. However, we remain stuck in a decades-old fight over whether deer and other game animals are pests to eliminate or a resource to value. … Continue reading Opinion: Adaptive management must be the future for NZs wild deer
New Council member for the NZ Game Animal Council
The NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) welcomes the appointment of Matthew Clarke to the Council. The Minister for Hunting and Fishing is responsible for appointing Council members. Matt is a lifelong recreational hunter, having grown up on the Coromandel Peninsula in a family of keen outdoorsmen. Joining his older brothers on hunts from an early … Continue reading New Council member for the NZ Game Animal Council
NZ Game Animal Council seeks a modern approach to game animal management
Public consultation on the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill concluded on 24 July 2025. The Bill seeks to clarify the law, to enable the Minister for Hunting and Fishing to establish a Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in a national park and therefore exempt the herd from extermination or eradication requirements … Continue reading NZ Game Animal Council seeks a modern approach to game animal management
Last chance for hunters to have their say on big game Bill
The Game Animal Council (GAC) is calling on hunters to speak up for the future of big game hunting in New Zealand, with submissions on the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill closing Thursday 24 July. “This is a crucial moment for New Zealand,” says GAC CEO Corina Jordan. “The Bill is … Continue reading Last chance for hunters to have their say on big game Bill
Hunters – have your voices heard on the future management of highly valued game animal herds
The Game Animal Council Act 2013 (GAC Act) is the first piece of legislation in New Zealand to recognise game animals as valued introduced species and enable them to be sustainably managed while also achieving conservation outcomes. This is made possible through Herds of Special Interest (HOSI), whereby the Minister for Hunting and Fishing can … Continue reading Hunters – have your voices heard on the future management of highly valued game animal herds
Second Herd of Special Interest takes step toward designation
The NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) congratulates the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation on successfully submitting their Wapiti Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) proposal to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing, who is now going to consider formally designating wapiti as a HOSI in Fiordland National Park. To support the Wapiti HOSI, the Government will also introduce … Continue reading Second Herd of Special Interest takes step toward designation
Sika Herd of Special Interest one step closer
The NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) congratulates the Central North Island Sika Foundation on successfully submitting their Sika Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) proposal to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing. The Minister has decided to begin the process to explore formally designating a Sika HOSI in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks. This is … Continue reading Sika Herd of Special Interest one step closer
Prepare for a safe and successful roar this year
By Kaylyn Pinney, NZ Game Animal Council Acting General Manager The NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) is advising hunters across New Zealand to plan for a safe and successful roar this year. “The March and April roar period is an exciting time of year for many hunters and it’s important to prepare for a safe … Continue reading Prepare for a safe and successful roar this year