Last week the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) presented an oral submission following public consultation on the Game Animal Council (HOSI) Amendment Bill.

The Bill seeks to clarify the law, to enable the Minister for Hunting and Fishing to establish a Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in a national park and therefore exempt the herd from extermination or eradication requirements under conservation legislation.

GAC CEO Corina Jordan says the GAC is humbled by the volume and quality of submissions and presentations in support of this Bill.

“We are proud to be part of, and represent, the hunting sector in New Zealand,” she says.

“Alongside GAC Chair Grant Dodson, I had the privilege of representing the views of the hunting sector in front of the Environment Select Committee, highlighting to them that New Zealand doesn’t have a game animal problem, we have a game animal management problem.

Watch the GAC oral submission here:

Nearly 3,000 submissions were made on the Bill, many sharing how much game animals and hunting means to them.

“We acknowledge there are areas of deer overabundance in New Zealand, but whether you support the Bill or not, we’re all seeking the same outcome which is improved management of game animals and conservation outcomes,” Jordan says.

“Unfortunately, the much-needed conversation about HOSI and how it is enabled through legislation, is being contaminated by a wider argument about game animals and their place in New Zealand.

“However, the Amendment Bill is not a debate on whether game animals should exist in New Zealand, rather a conversation about how we best manage specific herds of game animals in specific parts of national parks.

“It has the potential to move New Zealand’s conservation legislation into the twenty first century, acknowledging and recognising the value that game animals provide to communities, and the efforts that hunters contribute to management. And this is a good thing,” Jordan says.

“The practical realities of community-led hands-on management of game animals means a reduced cost to the government and increased community connection to the environment and the game animals that provide significant value. The Amendment Bill, and wider HOSI concept provides a modern framework for this to be achieved,” she says.

Next steps

The Select Committee will consider all submissions. They will write up a report summarising feedback and include their recommendations which is due 30 October.

Following that, the Bill will go to a second reading in Parliament, then to a Committee of the Whole House, a third reading and then Royal Assent. If passed, Royal Assent is when the Bill will become law.

We will continue to undertake our functions as outlined in the GAC Act, to raise awareness of the views of the hunting sector and directly advise the Minister for Hunting and Fishing on game animal management.

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