The New Zealand Game Animal Council welcomes the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill being passed into law, describing it as an important milestone for modern game animal management in New Zealand. The Bill enables Herds of Special Interest to be designated and managed in national parks, while ensuring conservation values continue … Continue reading GAC welcomes Herds of Special Interest Bill
Joint initiative launched to increase wild game meat donations
The NZ Game Animal Council and the Wild Game Recovery Trust have teamed up to support an increase in wild game meat being donated to foodbanks and families in need. The initiative, Game Changer NZ, is led by the Wild Game Recovery Trust and is supported by the Game Animal Council, using their free voluntary … Continue reading Joint initiative launched to increase wild game meat donations
GAC launches education module for international hunters
‘Welcome to Hunting in New Zealand’, a new online learning module to upskill international hunters travelling to New Zealand, has been launched by the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC). GAC Chief Executive Corina Jordan says hunting tourism is a high-value, low-impact activity that provides significant economic benefit for New Zealand. “While international hunters often arrive … Continue reading GAC launches education module for international hunters
GAC urges hunters to make good decisions and ‘master the roar’
The roar is an exciting time of the year, and people will be looking forward to reconnecting with New Zealand’s wild places, excitement and adventure, and a bit of time alone or with friends and family. “Hunting benefits our physical and mental wellbeing. It gets kids outside, and teaches practical skills, in addition to providing … Continue reading GAC urges hunters to make good decisions and ‘master the roar’
Rakiura white-tailed deer significantly impacted by predator control operations
17 February 2026 Rakiura/Stewart Island white-tailed deer have been significantly impacted following aerial toxic control operations. These operations were undertaken to protect the pukunui/southern New Zealand dotterel and investigate the feasibility of possum, rat and feral cat eradication on the island, across 43,100 hectares of Rakiura. The operations trialled the use of deer repellent and … Continue reading Rakiura white-tailed deer significantly impacted by predator control operations
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
Have your say – help shape HOSI
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