A red deer stag taken on the East Coast of the North Island by Hamish Swann of Gisborne-Tairawhiti Branch has been confirmed as the new No. 1 red deer head entered into the New Zealand Record Books.
Photographed: Hamish Swann with his record book head, and Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager at the 78th Conference and Expo.
The head was officially measured at 473 3/8 Douglas Score, comfortably surpassing the previous national record of 454 6/8, set by Dylan Manthey at Kumeroa in 2010.
The new record was announced from the stage at the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association’s 78th National Conference Annual Dinner and Prize Giving on Saturday 25 July 2026.
Hamish, just 20 years old, took the stag in March 2026 — and the story behind it is not the one most hunters would expect.
In the lead-up to the trip, Hamish had broken his collarbone, ruling him out of the harder country his usual hunting crew were heading into. Rather than sit the hunt out, he headed to an easier spot nearby with a mate, carrying his .308.
The stag he brought home is now sitting at No. 1 in New Zealand’s red deer trophy records.
The record was revealed at the Annual Dinner by NZDA Immediate Past President Callum Sheridan, alongside NZDA Chief Executive Gwyn Thurlow.
For context, a free range red head over 300 Douglas Score is regarded as a top New Zealand trophy. The classic Otago head held up on stage for comparison scored about 360.
“This is one of those trophies that immediately gets people talking. A 473 Douglas Score free-range red deer head is extraordinary, and for Hamish to take it at just 20 years of age makes the story even better. It is a remarkable New Zealand hunting achievement and exactly the sort of trophy our national records exist to recognise and preserve. This head will be discussed for years to come, as all great heads have been.” - Gwyn Thurlow, NZDA Chief Executive
Brent Neville, head judge for NZDA's Antler, Horn and Tusk competition, said heads of this size are rare in any part of the country.
“While the Length and Spread of this trophy are not exceptional, the lower tines definitely are. Without a doubt one of the finest sets ever.”
Brent explains “the top tines counterpart really well. With good separation of the larger tines it is relatively easy to determine the base of all tines, and to place the chalk spots where the length of them is measured to. This is reflected by the closeness of the scoresheets from the original Branch measure and the Score at the National comp, with less than three points difference.”
“With very little antler growth not counting towards the final score, this is a classic case of "symmetrical size" adding up to a very impressive Douglas Score. The National Judging Panel congratulates Hamish on taking such a magnificent trophy!”
NZDA keeps the official record of New Zealand big game trophies and oversees the training of Douglas Score measurers. Heads are entered through branches each year, with standouts being judged for the National Antler, Horn and Tusk competition, with the winners announced at National Conference dinner.
Hamish’s stag now takes its place at the very top of the NZDA record book — 473 3/8 Douglas Score, the new No. 1 New Zealand red deer head.
Congratulations, Hamish. An exceptional stag, an exceptional hunting story, and a piece of New Zealand hunting history.
