News

By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, New Zealand Game Animal Council Most of those who have hunted tahr, chamois, red deer or wapiti in the South Island high country will have a kea story. It can be the enjoyment of seeing one of our most distinctive native birds riding the updrafts, calling across a valley or…

Cover image left-right: Council members Matt Clarke, Pete Swann, Eugene Rewi, Callum Sheridan, Andrew Simpson NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) welcomes the appointment of three new members to the Council by Minister for Hunting and Fishing Hon James Meager, and the appointment of current Council member Matt Clarke as Chair. The new Game Animal Council…

On behalf of the sector, we have recently developed the 2026 Hunting Sector Briefing on Hunting and Game Animal Management. The briefing has been informed by ongoing engagement with hunters, hunting sector organisations and sector leaders, including through a recent hunting sector leaders’ survey. It outlines the sector’s key principles and policy priorities for hunting…

By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, New Zealand Game Animal Council For many years, hunters have been donating recreationally harvested wild game meat to foodbanks and charities. This reflects the generosity and community spirit of the hunting sector and makes a real difference to those in need, while growing awareness that hunting can provide individual and…

Mark Heath brings a strong mix of environmental science expertise and practical hunting experience to his new role as Senior Policy and Project Advisor with the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC). Raised in Stratford, Taranaki, Mark grew up immersed in sport and outdoor recreation. Whether it was rugby and swimming or fishing for trout in…