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 is about the two organisations making the most of their shared values and limited resources.
“Both the GAC and Fish & Game rely on small teams and tight budgets, and with a huge amount of work to do, this arrangement makes sense for both organisations.
“Corina’s secondment will enable the GAC to continue working towards positive outcomes for hunting and game animal management while also ensuring that Fish & Game is well-positioned to implement its legislative change programme.
“This is about applying expertise where it can make the most difference for our communities, of which there is significant overlap, and ensuring both organisations are set up for the future,” says Dodson.
During the secondment, Corina will remain employed by the GAC, while providing strategic and legislative expertise to both the GAC and Fish & Game. The arrangement will also allow the GAC to increase frontline resourcing, with Principal Advisor Dr Kaylyn Pinney moving into a Chief Operations Officer role to oversee day-to-day operations.
“Kaylyn is an experienced hand with a deep understanding of game animal management and is well-respected amongst the hunting sector,” Dodson says. “She has previously acted as Interim CEO, so is well placed to work alongside Corina and help lead the organisation over the next year.
“With the first Herds of Special Interest on the horizon, proposed reforms to other conservation legislation, and the changes to Fish & Game, we have the chance to recognise valued introduced species and embed modern game animal management approaches that will achieve improved outcomes for New Zealand. This secondment is an efficient way to ensure both organisations are well placed to make the most of those opportunities.”
GAC Chief Executive Corina Jordan says her focus will remain firmly on supporting hunters and anglers.
“My focus will be on ensuring that hunter and angler interests and aspirations are heard and implemented so that hunting and freshwater angling remain an important part of kiwi life.
“Since starting with the GAC, I’ve been blown away by how professional, dedicated, and committed the hunting sector is to achieving practical outcomes for hunting, game animal management, and conservation in New Zealand. I remain committed to ensuring that hunters are well-represented, that valued introduced species are recognised in legislation, and that hunter-led sustainable management is enabled.”
The GAC and Fish & Game Councils will establish an oversight team to track the progress of the year-long secondment and mitigate any challenges that may arise.
The NZ Game Animal Council is a statutory organisation working to improve the sustainable management of game animals and hunting for recreation, communities, commerce and conservation.
See Fish & Game’s statement here.
Contact
Kim Whitwell, NZ Game Animal Council Communications Advisor
0272779189