I’d like to begin by once again welcoming you all here. I know that for some of you, the distance travelled and the cost involved has been large. The Association can be proud of the fact that it has so many people willing to give of their own time and money so freely. I believe that it is factors like this, and maybe more so, our passion for why we are here that makes our Association so strong and long-lived.
2008 turned out to be a year of mixed activity. While NZDA suffered no major set-backs, it can feel proud to be associated with the Big Game Hunting Council Establishment Committee (BGHC-EC). I know that there are mixed feelings and ideas out there about the committee, but I can reassure you that this is one of the best things to happen to New Zealand hunting in many years. It is the first step towards government officials recognizing our game animals for what they are – a resource to be treasured, nurtured and managed efficiently.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bill O’Leary, the NZDA/recreational hunter representative on the establishment committee. The committee members have already invested a lot of time and will continue to do so.
NZDA is establishing a very good working relationship with the new government and will be working harder than ever in 2009/2010 to support and promote the BGHC-EC becoming a statutory body.
Our National Advocate has continued to produce some very good work this year and managed to do so while keeping within the constraints of our annual budget.
Hugh’s workload has been huge and demanding and he has handled it very well.
It has been encouraging to see local branches taking more of an advocacy role in their regions – namely Shaun Moloney from Southern Lakes advocating against heli-hunting and Dean Maisey from BOP advocating against 1080. Hugh and the National Executive have provided assistance to both branches in their work and are more than happy to help other branches as needed – all you need to do is ask. I would encourage all branches to keep up with local happenings, appoint a media spokesperson for local issues and to appoint someone to deal with local advocacy. A wealth of knowledge is at your fingertips in the form of a phone or a keyboard.
Because of both our working relationship with the new government and the advocacy work, I can see changes appearing in DOC’s attitude. More local conservancies are seeking out NZDA Branches and working with them for a mutually beneficial outcome. Southland Branch has a long-standing partnership with DOC, BOP Branch worked in with DOC and the local authorities to open a public access road in the Kaimais and Rotorua Branch recently entered a partnership with their local conservancy to maintain five huts in the Whirinaki Forest Park. Congratulations to all these branches – again I would encourage other branches to look at how they can work in with DOC in their area.
Finally, the National Executive is your executive. The executive is appointed by you and are here to work for you. I believe that there has been better communication between the National Executive and branches this year and that will continue to be improved. Any concerns or queries that you have can always be answered by somebody on the executive and I am happy to come to any branch meetings to talk to you – all you have to do is invite me!
I thank you all for being here today and for the conference and look forward to it being productive and purposeful.
Alec McIver
© 2011 New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association