Staff

Gwyn Thurlow is from Wellington and joined NZDA as CEO and General Counsel (in-house lawyer) in June 2020. Gwyn has taken on the role to transform NZDA into a modern and professional organisation. He has been a long time member of NZDA where he is the treasurer of Wellington Branch and volunteers on the NZDA National Heritage Trust as secretary. Gwyn is a keen alpine hunter and particularly enjoys hunting tahr and chamois.

Hugh Devereux-Mack joined NZDA in September 2023. With more than a decade of operations and marketing experience in relevant industries such as sports marketing, membership organizations, and cyber security. Hugh brings a range of skills and passion to help develop and preserve NZDA for future generations. Although new to NZDA, Hugh has been a prominent figure in the firearm community for a number of years as the Spokesperson for COLFO and this appointment further strengthens the existing relationship between both organizations.

Alexandra Hudson is our National Membership Manager. Alex helps branches with membership enquiries and approving new members.

She's a keen hunter who has been involved with the NZDA for 7 years assisting with the Waikato Branch on committee and recently with the back-groundwork for the local branch Hunts Course. Recently moving from the Waikato to Wellington ready to take on a new challenge within the NZDA.

Mike Spray is our National Programme Manager HUNTS. Mike has had an extensive career in the outdoors having previously work for the Mountain Safety Council where he was the Programme Manager for Firearms Safety and HUNTS.  He has also worked in the firearms and hunting sector in NSW and Victoria, Australia. Mike is a Range Officer Trainer, HUNTS Instructor and Assessor for NZDA. Mike has a passion for the outdoors and hunting but will more likely be found with a camera rather than a rifle these days.

Paddy Curtin is our HUNTS Assessor, his role involves getting more branches involved in the HUNTS programme and signing off instructors to run courses.

Paddy's passion for HUNTS and the NZDA began in 1998 as a 15-year old course participant with the Waikato branch. He then became involved with the branch committee in 2008 and their HUNTS team the following year. Paddy has also been a Firearm Safety Instructor and President of the Waikato Branch. 

Jay Matthes is our part-time Executive Assistant. She helps Gwyn with operations, accounts and functions. Jay deals with venue hire and booking too. If you want to hire our facility, or if you have an admin or invoicing enquiry, then Jay will help you. Jay loves New Zealand's backcountry and regularly tramps our Great Walks. She recently e-biked around the South Island.

Cassandra Hietbrink-Davies is one of our national membership assistants. She joined the NZDA in June 2022. Cassandra works on a casual basis and will usually be in one or two days per week, so when you ring the office or email us, she's likely to be on the other end helping sort out your enquiry or concern. Cass is an avid nature lover and she's spent many years camping in New Zealand’s beautiful backyard.

Andrew Penman is also a national membership assistant. He’s currently pursuing a degree in data science and Information systems at university but loves to explore nature and play sports in his free time (mainly hockey!). He is currently on a part time basis and is in the office once or twice a week.