Herds of Special Interest one step closer
On 24 June 2025, the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament. This is a significant moment for hunters as it marks the beginning of a legislative process to resolve one of the biggest tensions in our national parks: the legal requirement to exterminate all introduced species, even those that are valued and managed.
Currently, the National Parks Act 1980 obliges the removal or extermination of all non-native animals, regardless of their conservation value or the role they play in hunter-led management.
This directly conflicts with the intent of the Game Animal Council Act 2013, which created the Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) framework. The bill now before Parliament proposes to amend the GAC Act to remove this inconsistency—ensuring that designated HOSI can be lawfully managed within national parks.
It’s not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. It legitimises our valued game animals and helps pave the way for sustainable, science-based herd management—especially in places like Fiordland where hunters have a long track record of contributing to conservation.
What You Can Do
Submissions are now open and close at 11.59pm on Thursday, 24 July 2025.
This is your opportunity to have a say. NZDA encourages all members to make a submission in support of the bill. Submissions don’t need to be long or complex—what matters is that they show support for recognising the value of managed game animals.
Links
What NZDA Is Doing
NZDA is preparing a formal submission on behalf of members and will release it publicly in due course.
We believe this amendment is essential for the long-term viability of Herds of Special Interest and for better alignment between game animal management and biodiversity goals. Where there are game animals, there is always tension—but this bill helps move us towards a more balanced and realistic approach.
What’s Next
The bill will go through the usual select committee process, where submissions will be reviewed, and recommendations made before it returns to Parliament for a second reading. We will keep members informed as the bill progresses and let you know when the next key stages are underway.
Hear From Hon James Meager
“The Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill will ensure the legislation for HOSI is clear and unambiguous. It will support the designation of a wapiti deer HOSI in Fiordland National Park and will allow hunter-led conservation groups to manage deer numbers in our national parks, creating opportunities for local hunters and tourism and driving more economic growth in the region,” Mr Meager says.
Read his full statement here.
Join and Support NZDA
Find and join a branch to get involved with promoting and protecting hunting in New Zealand! Search here.
https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/join-and-support-us/branch-finder/