Joint statement from the NZ Game Animal Council & Central North Island Sika Foundation

From left: John Cook, Sika Foundation President; Minister for Hunting and Fishing Hon James Meager; Cam Speedy, Sika Foundation Secretary; Corina Jordan, Game Animal Council CEO

The designation of the Sika Herd of Special Interest marks a new era of hunter-led management for one of New Zealand’s most valued game animal herds.

The Game Animal Council and Central North Island Sika Foundation welcome the announcement by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing, recognising the importance of the sika herd to hunters, and the need for active management.

The designation follows more than two years’ worth of collaboration between the Game Animal Council and Central North Island Sika Foundation, and the Department of Conservation.

The Game Animal Council has been delegated management by the Minister, and the Central North Island Sika Foundation will undertake operational delivery. The Council and Foundation look forward to continuing their close working relationship and delivering proactive and sustainable sika herd management.

Game Animal Council Chief Executive Corina Jordan says the Central North Island sika herd is the only wild herd of sika in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s an iconic herd and a significant food source for hunters and communities.

“The Sika Foundation has been undertaking active management of the herd for the last five years, alongside important conservation and community meat donation initiatives. The Sika Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) designation in the Kaimanawa Forest Park, Kaweka Forest Park and Kaweka Forest Conservation Area will help build on these benefits,” Corina says.

Sika Foundation President John Cook says the sika hunting community has clearly shown over the past decade just how much it genuinely cares about these special places. The formalisation of a Sika HOSI acknowledges that demonstrated duty of care.

“The success of the Sika HOSI is grounded in collaboration and community commitment,” John says.

“The Sika Foundation looks forward to continuing to work with community and embracing mana whenua perspectives and cultural values around how we look after these beautiful maunga into the future.”

The Game Animal Council and Central North Island Sika Foundation have worked closely over the last two years developing the Sika HOSI.

“The Foundation’s volunteers have put in a huge amount of work over recent years to better understand the herd, support practical management and show that hunters are willing to step up where animal numbers are having an impact. The Sika HOSI Interest builds on that,” Corina says.

“Well-managed herds in good habitat produce better animals, and that is good for hunters, good for the forest and good for the future,” she says.

HOSI is a modern and future-focused way of managing game animals in New Zealand. It recognises the value of game animals and hunting to New Zealand and allows valued herds to be managed for hunting purposes while ensuring conservation values continue to be protected. It enables and empowers practical, responsible and hunter-led game animal management.

Corina says the best results come from hunters, local communities and agencies working together to manage game animals and support conservation.

Sika Foundation Board Member Tom Loughlin says the HOSI should not be viewed as ‘job done’ but as the start of the next chapter.

“Sharing the data and information gathered to date to get to this point is important to a wide range of communities, mana whenua, hunting and non-hunting groups. Essentially the learning has just begun and needs to continue if we are to strive towards balance in Te Taiao,” he says.

The Game Animal Council and Sika Foundation look forward to working alongside mana whenua, hunters, community and others to deliver the Sika HOSI and support positive hunting and conservation outcomes in Kaimanawa Forest Park, Kaweka Forest Park and Kaweka Forest Conservation Area.

NZ Game Animal Council – your statutory agency, working to secure NZ hunting and the sustainable management of game animals.

Whakataukī – Mō ō tātau wairua, mō ō tātau oranga, mō ō tātau whānau, e whakarato mai ana te taiao. The natural environment provides sustenance for our spirit, our wellbeing and our families.

Central North Island Sika Foundation – A healthy sika hunting resource, thriving in resilient natural habitats, valued by stakeholders.

Whakatauki – Ko te taiao te kura. The environment is the place of learning.

Note: The Minister for Hunting and Fishing delegated management of the Sika HOSI to the Game Animal Council. This means the Council is responsible for implementation of the Sika HOSI herd management plan. Operational delivery will be undertaken by the Sika Foundation under arrangements with the Council. The Department of Conservation retains lead responsibility for ecological monitoring.

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