February National Board Reports

Submissions

Submissions, submissions, submissions! It seems to be never ending for our national office. Although there is light at the end of the tunnel. Firearms reform, clubs and ranges and access its all happening. I would urge all hunters and shooters to make submissions to ensure our voice is heard. Oure national office does their bit with a very considered and detailed submission on the various topics we advocate and lobby for. For members and your every day hunter it does not have to be that in depth just some of your thoughts and agree or disagree but as always the more effort and time/effort you put in the better.

Membership Renewals

Our yearly renewals are coming up and our national office are offering up some great incentives for renewing your membership, you will go in the draw for $15,000 worth of prizes. Not to mention supporting the great work the NZDA continues to produce. Now more than ever its important as hunters and shooters we have a voice and your membership subs contribute to that advocacy work, thank you for your support so far.

Arms Act Reform

We had a big social media drive raising awareness around getting your submissions in for the arms act reform. Thank you to all those that took the time to make a quick video promoting people to get into it, within a week the number of submissions doubled. A lot of us use social media to create a big following and profile, which is great it creates community even though you may live miles apart. Giving back once in a while when it really matters by using your reach to remind people we have protect what we love doing should be par for the course.

The Roar

As hunters we are starting to get excited for the upcoming roar season, only a few weeks now and the hills will be alive with the sound of roaring stags, I can’t wait!

It’s a time to remember to look after yourself and your mates, wear blaze and identify your target beyond all doubt. As the old saying goes “no meat is better than no mate”. Remember before your trip to leave your intentions with a friend or relative. Ensure you are well prepared by sighting in your firearm, checking your gear, and making sure you are as fit as possible, its much more enjoyable that way!

Hi members, the last few weeks have been pretty full on for me both in my professional and NZDA capacity. I managed to attend my previous clubs prize giving dinner while I was down in Wellington for our Board meeting. It was good catching up with a number of club members.

Competitive Shooting

I've been having plenty of conversations with competitive shooters from around the country. They have all been very happy with the ideas I have for competitive shooting within the association. The Board has finally gotten on top of the minor target issues we were having and I'm pleased to say the website is all updated and ready for target purchases now.

Shooting Calendar

The competitive shooting calendar is now up to date for this year, so if you want to know what events are happening around the country, log on and check it out. We have some National events coming up over the next couple of months too, and it would be good to get some new shooters along to experience them.

My personal shooting schedule for March is jammed pack, and I'm really looking forward to my visits around the Nth Island for each of the events. So if you see me at any of them, come and say hello. I hope you all have sat down and done your submissions for the Arms amendment review, we all need to have our say.

Target Shooting Questions

If anyone has anything competitive shooting they want to chat to me about, feel free to drop me a email, text or phone call. With the conference fast approaching, I hope all your committees have started sorting the required targets and range bookings for the National postal shoots. Remember you are up for a spot prize for entering. Check out the National website if you want to know anymore information on those postal shoots, or drop me an email. There's something for almost every shooting discipline.

Until next time members, keep your powder dry and Hot Barrels everyone.

Photographed by Tim Taylor

Submissions & Molesworth Consultation

It feels a bit late to say Happy New Year when well into February which is 10% shorter than a proper month anyway. Time flies. By the time this newsletter is out submissions on the Firearms Law review will be done, hopefully the draft Management Plan for Molesworth will be out for consultation and of course with the beginning of March hunters heads turn to the hills not paperwork.

However! There are going to be some chunky bits of work to pay attention to in the coming months; new Government means new ideas and change and we need to be ready to support or criticise proposals as they deserve when they land on the table for our views.

Branch Constitution Updates

A big task, which has an April 2026 deadline, is every branch (just like every other Incorporated Society in the country) will have to submit a new Constitution meeting the latest Government regulations. This isn’t an optional process for any of us and needs to happen this year. Obviously, timelines will be set by your own AGMs where you get your draft Constitution agreed by your members.

Fortunately, Gwyn is busy preparing a Branch template (as per a couple of years ago) that will make this process pretty painless for Branches who care to (and you should!) use it. Using the template will save the Board a lot of work as we have to ratify every one. Board members are on standby to support (just sing out for help!) - there will be a big push to get this done across all 49 Branches.

Game Animal Management

On the game management front there is a lot of big picture work on for Branches and the Game Management Committee regarding Rakiura, Ruahine and soon Molesworth. These are big ticket areas of extreme importance both in principle and detail in terms of our hunting history, culture and future. I am particularly interested and involved on Molesworth because its close to my home base and I am now hunting there on a regular basis, it’s a great place to experience. What the new draft Management Plan for Molesworth will look to change from the present one is a matter of keen interest.

Happy and safe hunting.

Goose Cull

Another successful Goose shoot was held over the weekend after Waitangi day at Patearoa, with 50 NZDA shooters from the King Country, Wellington and various locations around the Mainland from Blenheim through to Invercargill culling 1,512 feral Greylag geese.

This is another great example of the combined interaction with various organisations, with the Upper Clutha Branch of NZDA working with the Tiaki Maniototo Water Catchment Group, local farmers for allowing access, DoC for permits and Fish & Game, to organise the event, for the 4th year running.

Wallaby Shoot

The Upper Clutha Branch also held a wallaby shoot at the end of January with 12 shooters achieving a tally of 140 wallabies , 3 pigs and a bunch of hares and rabbits. Another hunt is organised for the end of March on another high county station along the Waitaki River.

Our branch Hunting & Pest control register tallied 11,837 animals for the 2024 calendar year, which is a significant achievement.

Lower South Island Regional Meeting

The Otago Branch is hosting the lower South Island Branches at their Beaumont lodge for a Regional Meeting over the 28 Feb to 2 March, including hunting on the Blue Mountains on the Saturday. I am looking forward to catching up with the other representatives over the weekend.

Conference Reminder

A reminder about the NZDA Conference to be held in Invercargill in July. Please ensure that your branch is represented.

Best wishes to those members successful with Roar blocks.

Safe travels and safe hunting.

Our Board

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NZDA National Board, photographed at the 76th Conference and AGM in July 2024.