Pictured: Blake Curtin, 11 years old.
For Immediate Release
13 December 2025
The results of the 2025 National Wild Goat Hunting Competition have now been released, confirming another strong year of conservation effort from hunters, landowners, and NZDA branches nationwide.
Across the three years of this competition, hunters have removed 33,418 wild goats. This year alone, 10,349 tails were entered by 863 hunters from right around the country.
“Hunters have once again shown what targeted, community-led pest management can deliver,” says NZDA Goat Competition Liaison & Landowner Assist Project Lead, Trevor Gratton. “These results reflect thousands of voluntary hours on the hill, and the conservation gains speak for themselves.”
What began three years ago as a simple way to boost participation in goat control has now grown into a nationwide partnership between hunters, landowners, and the Department of Conservation.
Strong Local Support From Branches
NZDA branches played a central role again this year, supporting entrants, coordinating with local DOC staff, and ensuring tails and trophy heads were counted and submitted correctly.
Participation spanned all ages, with youth engagement remaining a standout feature. Around a quarter of all entrants were under 18, continuing a positive trend towards bringing more young hunters into safe and ethical goat management.
“Great seeing everyone getting out there, doing the mahi, and making a real dent in wild goat numbers across Aotearoa,” enthused Trevor. “Families, first-timers, and seasoned hunters - everyone got stuck in. He waka eke noa - we’re all in this together.”
Backing From Sponsors
The competition’s reach continues to grow thanks to support from national partners:
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Hunting & Fishing New Zealand – founding sponsor
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Nocpix – major sponsor
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NZ Hunter
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Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority
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Bushnell
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Hunters Element
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Real Meals
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Missing in Aotearoa
“Our sponsors understand that hunters contribute directly to conservation,” says Trevor. “Their support keeps the competition accessible and helps us get the message out about the real work hunters are doing.”
Landowner Assist – Turning Momentum Into Long-Term Impact
This year also saw a significant lift in interest in NZDA’s Landowner Assist programme, which connects hunters with farmers, forestry managers, and councils needing ongoing game animal control support.
“The Goat Comp has opened the door to practical, long-term relationships with landowners,” Trevor explains. “They want skilled, insured hunters they can trust - and NZDA branches are stepping up to meet that need.”
These partnerships are helping reduce pressure on pasture and regenerating bush, while giving members new opportunities to access hunting blocks and contribute meaningful conservation work.
Three Years On – A Proven, Practical Model
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has quickly become one of New Zealand’s most effective examples of hunters contributing to conservation outcomes at scale. The partnership between NZDA, DOC, landowners, and communities remains central to its success.
“This competition proves what’s possible when we all pull in the same direction,” Trevor says. “Hunters want to be part of the solution - and the results show they already are.”
Congratulations to all winners and participants from across the country.
ENDS
About NZDA
New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Incorporated (NZDA) is the national body representing recreational deerstalkers and big game hunters. With 49 branches and over 12,000 members across New Zealand, NZDA has been advocating for ethical hunting, conservation, and firearms safety since 1937.
For media enquiries:
Trevor Gratton
NZDA Goat Competition Liaison & Landowner Assist Project Lead
trevor.gratton@deerstalkers.org.nz
027 362 2422
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/