Game Animal Council Submission - Section 1

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 OVERVIEW

This submission is presented by the National Executive of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Incorporated, here and after referred to as NZDA, and by the term “the Association”.

It is a considered response to proposals made in sections 2.1 – 4.4 (p. 14-32) of the document entitled “Options for Establishment of the New Zealand Game Animal Council” dated September 2009, issued by the Establishment Committee appointed in respect of the proposed entity. The document to which this submission responds will here and after be referred to as the ECDD.

The submission represents the view of the National Executive, and also stands as a statement of the corporate position and opinions of the 54 branches, and the 7,700 members of all of those branches within the Association. The submission also advocates in the interests of 7 hunting clubs with a combined total of 1,000 members, which are officially affiliated with NZDA.

In addition, all branches and individual members of the Association have been encouraged to send their own regionally focused submissions to the establishment committee. Branch and individual members’ views expressed in any such submissions are considered by the National Executive to be complementary to, and supportive of, the national focus of this submission. Branch and member submissions may display variation in respect of points of opinion and support for such opinions as they include. The Association urges the establishment committee to read and analyse this submission and those of NZDA’s branches and individual members as a heterogeneous, but inter-related body of community response to this process. It strongly discourages the analysis of all NZDA submissions as a single response within a formal analysis of submissions process.

Section 2 outlines a case in support of the appointment of two NZDA representatives to the new game animal council. This case is illustrated with examples of the physical, social and intellectual contributions the Association makes to the outdoor recreation community throughout New Zealand, as well as to the lives of its members.

Section 3 records the Association’s collective responses to questions 1 – 7, posed on page 36 of the ECDD, as well as an analysis of views of senior members and past presidents, expressly elicited by the Executive to inform this submission.

Section 4 provides addenda to be read with questions 4 and 6, and an addendum on matters and issues the Executive wishes to see reflected adequately in the drafting of enacting legislation for the council.

1.2 OUR POSITION

NZDA’s corporate position and recommendations on the proposal for a game animal council have been informed by:

• One meeting of members of the National Executive held on 12 November 2009;
• Papers produced by the compiler of this submission, the Association’s National Advocate, and an external advisor;
• Research on specific matters undertaken by individual members of the National Executive;
• Views of senior members of the Association and Past Presidents, expressly elicited for this process by invitation from the National President;
• We believe the view expressed is durable and that it serves as a reference point for further interactions with the establishment committee, and the Minister of the Crown overseeing the establishment process.

NZDA fully appreciates that further input will be sought from the Executive and branches, at the point when any enabling legislation reaches its second reading before a select committee, or any special committee(s) appointed to examine such bills as are drafted.

We have focused here on addressing the seven questions of section 6 of the ECDD, providing advice and recommendations to support establishment of the new game animal council, and the drafting of appropriate law for that purpose. We have chosen not to focus on operational and strategic matters a new council may deal with once established.