CEO for NZ Game Animal Council sought

Tim Gale, General Manager of the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) is stepping away from the role at the end of January 2025. “I’m incredibly proud to have spent the last five years working alongside some amazing people both within and outside of the hunting sector,” says Gale. “The growth of the sector has been phenomenal during this time. This growth can be credited not only to hunter sector groups and organisations, but all hunters, their families and their networks.”… READ MORE

NZ Game Animal Council welcomes Access Charter for Recreational Hunting and Fishing on Public Conservation Land and Waters 

Todd McClay, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, has announced a nationwide Access Charter for Recreational Hunting and Fishing on Public Conservation Land and waters. The Charter outlines principles and commitments to ensure that recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land and waters is recognised and safeguarded for current and future generations… READ MORE

Appointment of new Game Animal Councillor

The Game Animal Council welcomes the appointment by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing of Glenn MacPherson to the Council, as well as Eugene Rewi’s reappointment. We also recognise the contributions of Steve McFall, Sharon Salmons and Kevin Eastwood…READ MORE

Member’s bill to include hunter and angler representation on conservation matters welcomed

A new private member’s bill giving hunters and anglers representation on the New Zealand Conservation Authority recognises the role they play in safeguarding the country’s wild places, says Fish & Game New Zealand and the Game Animal Council… READ MORE

Services to the NZGAC and hunting sector celebrated

Around one hundred people gathered in Parliament’s Grand Hall on Thursday 1 August, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) where Garry Ottmann was presented with the GAC’s inaugural award for services to the Game Animal Council and New Zealand hunting sector… READ MORE

Pause in wapiti legal action a win for Fiordland – May 2024

The Game Animal Council welcomes the agreement between Forest & Bird and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) to pause legal proceedings over the management of wapiti deer in Fiordland National Park and looks forward to working with DOC and FWF on a Herd of Special Interest…READ MORE

Prepare to enhance your safety and success this Roar – March 2024

The Game Animal Council is emphasising the importance of good preparation ahead of this year’ Roar…READ MORE

Online NZ hunter training platform launched – October 2023

Better Hunting, a new free-to-use e-learning platform specifically designed for New Zealand hunters, was launched at the 2023 Sika Show…READ MORE

New research supports managing deer for biodiversity over carbon storage – September 2023

New research shows deer have little impact on the carbon storage of our intact indigenous forests and supports biodiversity protection as the primary goal of deer management…READ MORE

Appointment of new Game Animal Councillors – August 2023

The Minister of Conservation has appointed three new Councillors to help carry out the statutory functions of the New Zealand Game Animal Council (GAC)…READ MORE

Volunteers are the heart of the hunting sector – June 2023

The Game Animal Council is celebrating National Volunteer Week by giving a big shout out to the hundreds of volunteers that dedicate their time and effort to making a contribution to New Zealand’s hunting sector…READ MORE


Follow the 5 Ps for a safe and successful Roar – March 2023
New firearms legislation will relieve stress on hunters – November 2022
Game animal management to be highlighted at Sika Show – October 2022
Successful deer management in Fiordland – August 2022
Forest & Bird misrepresent Te Ara ki Mua – June 2022
Lake Sumner deer management programme a success – June 2022
Deer management funding welcomed – May 2022
Guide released to assist management of red deer – March 2022Look after your mates this Roar – March 2022
Collaborative deer management project for Fiordland – January 2022
Get outdoors and harvest from nature’s food basket this summer – November 2021
Valued introduced species require a modern management approach – October 2021
Game Animal Council thanks Lou Sanson – September 2021
Hunter education boost from Jobs for Nature – July 2021
Speech to 73rd NZDA Conference – June 2021
2021-22 tahr plan reflects pragmatic management approach – May 2021
Tahr hunters contributing to kea conservation – April 2021
Looking after our game animals and their habitat – March 2021
Sika deer project to benefit hunting and conservation – March 2021
Game Animal Council welcomes extra effort to process firearms licenses – 18 February 2021
Game Animal Council working to improve new rules for firearms users – 20 January 2021
Successful tahr study could provide additional hunting opportunities – 16 November 2020
Give hunting a go during Get Outdoors Week – 12 November 2020
Game Animal Council welcomes new Minister of Conservation – 2 November 2020
Kārearea has hunters backing for Bird of the Year – 2 November 2020
Hunters to choose their champion for Bird of the Year – 27 October 2020
Changes to tahr control operations positive – 14 September 2020
Long-term outcomes should be priority in tahr management – 1 September 2020
Hunters for conservation – 16 August 2020
New Game Animal Councillors appointed – 13 August 2020
Valued introduced species included in Biodiversity Strategy – 11 August 2020
DOC announces tahr cull at eleventh hour – 1 July 2020
DOC Tahr Plan based on hazy science could cost jobs – 29 June 2020
Hunters demonised by government ad – 21 June 2020
Wild venison and jobs for Kiwis in need – 15 June 2020
Perth Valley tahr trial a success – 21 May 2020
Hunting industry requires domestic support – 20 May 2020
Safety the priority for hunters under level 2 – 13 May 2020
Hunters pleased with rules for level 2 – 7 May 2020
Safe domestic travel should be considered at level 2 – 4 May 2020
Some hunting allowed under level 3 – 23 April 2020
Hunting is a safe activity – 18 April 2020
Hunting should be reconsidered under Level 3 – 17 April 2020
Hunting banned under new Government Order – 4 April 2020
Hunters need to do the right thing, stay at home – 24 March 2020
Hunters have role in managing deer herds and supporting industry – 19 March 2020
New GM for NZ Game Animal Council – 28 November 2019
App launched to record Himalayan tahr returns – 26 November 2019
Hunters backing the kārearea for bird of the year – 30 October 2019
Arms Legislation Bill requires significant improvement – 23 October 2019
Firearms legislation must be fair to hunters – 14 September 2019
Game Animal Council supports new tahr plan – 10 September 2019
New Game Animal Councillors – 13 August 2019
Hunters concerned with second round of firearms reforms – 23 July 2019
Better understanding the key to recreational access – 11 June 2019
Perceived conflicts should not undermine Predator Free NZ – 21 May 2019
Arms Amdt Bill will not significantly impact recreational hunting – 2 April 2019
MSSA’s unnecessary for recreational hunting – 20 March 2019
Responsible tahr management can benefit everyone – 5 March 2019
Predator control funding welcomed – 19 February 2019
Responsible tahr management can benefit everyone – 5 March 2019
New Tactical Plan for Tahr Management Agreed – 2 October 2018