By Corina Jordan, CEO NZ Game Animal Council
The year is 1987. Mel Gibson stars in the first Lethal Weapon film, Rick Astley’s ‘Never gonna give you up” is topping the music charts, and in a small corner of the world called New Zealand, the All Blacks rugby team has won the inaugural rugby World Cup and te reo Māori is made an official language.
At the same time, New Zealand passed into law the Conservation Act 1987. Alongside the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, National Parks Act 1980 and Reserves Act 1977, these pieces of law will govern how game animals are managed on public conservation land for the next 48 years.
Over time some amendments are made to these laws, but the general direction is retained – preservation of indigenous species as far as possible – and introduced species like game animals, get lumped into the control and where possible ‘get rid of’ bucket.
But not all species introduced to New Zealand are valued equally. Some – think wasps and stoats – are unfavourable to majority of New Zealanders. Others – like game animals (deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs) – provide huge benefits and are highly valued for things such as meat, recreation and economic value.
Regardless of this value, the current law in New Zealand takes a one-size-fits-all approach to introduced species and a singular management system of control, eliminate or exterminate. This has unintentionally embedded a culture of conflict and division within the conservation minded community.
It is well past time to reflect on the unintended consequences of well-meaning conservation law and build a new legal framework that unites our communities and enables game animals to be managed for their values while supporting conservation outcomes, one which is enduring and not subject to short-term changes in government priorities or budgets.
If we are to move forward and manage valued introduced species such as game animals effectively, we require legislative reform that enables the future protection of indigenous species, while also recognising broader community values attached to some introduced species, such as game animals.
Legislation and policy can be complex, and many people aren’t interested in the intricacies, they simply want to know that they can go out and do what they want to do – like hunt.
However, policy has, and will continue to have, an impact on our ability to go hunting. It has, and will continue to have, an impact on the quality and quantity of animals available to hunt.
This is where statutory organisations like the NZ Game Animal Council come in. Statutory organisations are created to operate in the policy space on your behalf. We exist to advocate and represent your views, working to ensure that whatever policy is put in place, it recognises hunting values.
Part of what makes the GAC effective is that Council members and staff are spread across the country, bringing knowledge and connections that span regions. This enables the GAC to really understand the issues and challenges facing hunters across New Zealand. Additionally, unlike other statutory organisations, the GAC has a very clear focus on game animal management and hunter values, which enables us to provide specific expertise on these topics and take a long-term view.
It’s crucially important to have organisations like the GAC, so that together we can continue pushing towards a future where hunting remains a kiwi tradition.
So, I ask that when the time comes to review the nearly half century old conservation legislation that governs how New Zealand manages game animals, you support the GAC, ask that the GAC has a management role, and have your voice heard to ensure that hunting is secured for future generations.
Until next time,
Corina.