Preserving our hunting, big game, and shooting heritage
NZDA proudly supports and fosters our hunting heritage. We welcome all visitors to our hunting and big game museum and reference library at Wellington.
Location
The NZDA museum is housed at Deerstalkers House along with our National Office team at Thorndon, Wellington.
Our museum is operated by the NZDA National Heritage Trust, a registered charity. Staffed by a small, dedicated team with assistance of volunteers, we are open to the public.
Hours of operation
By appointment, usually on Fridays when our volunteers are on site. Tours on request.
About the NZDA Heritage Trust
In the more than 150 years since the introduction of game animals to New Zealand there have been many traditions created, many fine trophies taken, and a legacy of hunting lore established which is unique to this country. The heritage of our pioneering past has brought a familiarity with firearms and a love of the firearm related field sports and recreation as well as a realisation of the importance to all of us of our bush, mountains, lakes and rivers.
Founded in 2000, the New Zealand Deerstalkers National Heritage Trust was set up to find, collect, preserve and display historic material relating to hunting, deerstalking, shooting and firearms so that future generations can appreciate how the sport developed and how it used to be.
Initial investigation has shown that there is an enormous amount of hunting related material existing in the hands of old hunters or their families, much of which is unique and of historic interest. In many instances of families are uncertain as to what to do with such material.
The library is located in Wellington and is for the use of students, researchers and any members of the general public who wish to study matters relating to hunting, shooting, bog game animals or firearms in New Zealand.
Mission and Purpose
- To collect, protect, and display books, publications, original manuscripts research documents (published or unpublished), diaries, maps or any printed material relating to hunting or shooting
- To retain photographs, film transparencies, glass plates or negatives, movie films, video or audio tapes, CD Roms, DVDs or any other recorded material, drawings, paintings and any other artistic work relating to the same subject matter.
- To promote, encourage and assist studies and research on matters relating to hunting and shooting, introduced game animals, flora and fauna and their inter-related effects.
Material Sought
The Trust welcomes donations, gifts or long term loan of trophy heads, books, original manuscripts, research papers, films, maps, photographs or transparencies, videos or movie films, hunting equipment, drawings or paintings of historical importance. Material donated or loaned will be acknowledged by appropriate documentation.
Newton McConochie with his Wapiti Trophy