Thank You to Mike Spray & Rob Howey
A massive thank you to two people who have been vital to the success of the HUNTS Programme in recent years.
Notice from NZDA CEO Gwyn Thurlow:
Today, 31 August 2025, Rob Howey steps down and retires from the role of volunteer National HUNTS Coordinator. Rob has steered the programme through significant change with grace and integrity over the past four years; on behalf of NZDA, thank you, Rob, for your service. Rob was honoured for this service with a Life Membership at the Conference. From 1 September 2025, Mike Spray moves from his paid staff role as National HUNTS Programme Manager into a volunteer National HUNTS Coordinator position, filling Rob’s boots. After four years of grant funding, sadly, this government didn’t see fit to keep supporting the only practical hunter training programme with national reach. We’ll certainly keep trying to garner support, but for now it’s with our team of amazing HUNTS volunteers to deliver, grow and administer. HUNTS will continue to be available at a local branch level, and this spring courses are kicking off.
Mike Spray’s Continued Commitment to HUNTS
After serving as our National HUNTS Programme Manager, Mike will finish his staff role on 31st August and transition into a volunteer leadership position as National HUNTS Coordinator from 1st September. We sincerely thank Mike for the dedication and expertise he’s brought to the role and appreciate his continued commitment to leading the programme as a volunteer.
Mike shared his reflections: “I feel very fortunate and privileged to have been involved with HUNTS for the past 4 years as an employee of NZDA and manager of the programme. I have enjoyed my role in supporting all the volunteers who do the real mahi for HUNTS so competently and professionally, and to genuinely thank them for all the work they do.”
Thank you Rob Howey
After many years of dedicated service, Rob Howey is retiring and stepping away from the role of National HUNTS Coordinator. Rob’s leadership, and his contribution to HUNTS and NZDA has been immense. We sincerely thank Rob for everything he has done and wish him all the best in his retirement. Rob received a well deserved NZDA National Life Membership at the 77th Conference in Invercargill last month.
Mike expressed his appreciation: “I pass on my congratulations and appreciation to Rob for his commitment to HUNTS during my term as manager of the programme.”
The HUNTS Programme remains a cornerstone of NZDA’s commitment to hunter education, and we’re confident these changes will strengthen its future.
Mike added: “We have applied for a lottery outdoor safety grant to support HUNTS and will hear if we have been successful in November. In the meantime, Paddy Curtin will lead the care and maintenance of HUNTS.”
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/