National Board Reports July 2025

NZDA 2025-26 National Board, photographed at the 77th Conference and AGM in July 2025, Invercargill. (Absent S. Langslow, T. Dibben and W. Iglesias)

Dear members,

I hope you are all doing well in the colder months and managing to still get into the back country to stretch the legs and look for game.

We have just had our conference in Invercargill with a theme of wapiti and White tail, which I found very appropriate with the issues that face both of these herds. The discussions around these topics where positive and our guest speakers well received. It is important as a sector we keep our foot on the throttle, even if we perceive a win here and there, what we do today will get us ahead today, tomorrow is another story sustained progress is key.

Alongside SCI New Zealand the NZDA announced its support for the formation of a Whitetail foundation, NZDA and SCI NZ have put their hands up to facilitate the administration to form a foundation. This is a necessity if we want our valued herds protected and hopefully in time designated as herds of special interest. The foundation would hopefully encompass both herds Rakiura and Wakatipu with representatives from both forming the foundations members, my understanding is from there they would have their own individual work streams and sub groups that are relevant to their specific areas and projects. I hope top see some success in this space as we move towards generating more visibility on the value of our game animals throughout the country.

I would like to thank the Southland branch for putting on a great conference at a top notch venue, the Ascot really made the conference easy with everything being in one place, great food and service all round, a great choice by Shaun and the Southland branch committee. The general feeling throughout the weekend was one of excitement and progress, the discussions during the AGM where robust and professional something I really enjoyed chairing. Thank you to all those branches and delegates that took the time to travel to the deep south to make the event a success.

Over the weekend I was pleased to present the NZDA national Douglas score team with a whiskey decanter and 16 glasses branded with the NZDA logo and an inscription in the back, “Presented to the NZDA National Douglas score team at the 2025 NZDA conference in Invercargill. A nod to those gone by, and a toast to the perfect measure.” Some well deserved recognition to the years of scoring, hidden away in the back room of conferences, NZDA halls and kitchen tables all around the country, making sure our record books are kept up to date and the Douglas score is kept true to its original form. Well done team much deserved we appreciate your efforts, And of course it was full - with a 15 year old single malt along with a refill.

Regards,

Callum Sheridan

NZDA National president

Dear Members

And just like that—our National Conference is done and dusted! What an incredible few days, and now the next 12-month challenge begins.

Leading up to Conference, I was flat out juggling professional, club, and Board responsibilities. It was a whirlwind, but I made it through! Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the event—it was a fantastic opportunity to meet so many members face-to-face and talk about the sport I’m so passionate about. On the final day, a member from a South Island branch called me “The Shooting Guy”—I guess my enthusiasm is getting noticed!

One of my proudest moments was announcing the new National Shooting Committee (NSC) on Saturday. I’ll admit, my speech didn’t go quite to plan—just as I stepped up, the Hon. Nicole McKee arrived, and Gwyn whispered, “Perfect timing, Nicole’s just walked in.” That threw me a bit! But as I often say, I’m a tradie, not a wordsmith. That said, I’m genuinely excited to get started with the NSC. We’ve got a strong team with the right skills to help elevate competitive shooting within the NZDA. Keep an eye out for our next National Competitive Shooting Newsletter, where you’ll meet the full committee.

A heartfelt thank you to our outgoing CSC members—Ian Owen, Paul Carmine, Malcolm Perry, Dougall Cameron, and Sandi Curreen—for your dedication and service.

I’m proud to report we achieved our goal of doubling entries for the Wilkinson Postal Shoots, with 20 more entries and two new branches involved. We also saw the Browns Trophy contested again after a long hiatus. I’ve set my sights on doubling participation again for next year—watch this space!

Lastly, I’m thrilled to announce that NZDA will be represented at the World Benchrest. Championships in St Louis, USA this September. Our team: Ian Owen, Steve Williams, Dougall Cameron, and his 15-year-old son Elliot—our youngest ever national team member. We’re incredibly proud.

The 300m Tack Driver hosted by the BOP NZDA is the first of it's kind in NZ and should be a very interesting event to attend. If you can shoot a tight group and think you have what it takes to be the inaugural Tack Driver Champion, click the image below or the link here.

For more upcoming target shooting events, including the Rotorua Regional Shoot, take a look at our annual calendar here.

That’s all from me for now. As always—keep your powder dry and hot barrels!

It was great to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones at this month’s Conference and AGM down in Invercargill. These gatherings are always a great opportunity to share ideas, swap stories, and connect face-to-face with the people and partners who make up our wider community. From hearing fresh perspectives to strengthening the relationships that support our work, it was a weekend full of positive momentum and spirited discussions. 

The 2025 National Wild Goat Hunting Competition kicks off on August 1st. Last year saw over 12,000 goat tails entered—an incredible result that speaks to the enthusiasm and commitment of our members across the country. I’m excited to see the results for this year. 

One of the real success stories so far this year has been the response to our Landowner Assist program. For those not familiar, it’s a simple but effective way of connecting landowners dealing with goat problems directly with experienced NZDA hunters. It’s helping us unlock new hunting opportunities on private land while building long-term relationships based on trust, professionalism, and results. 

So far this year, we've had over 5,000 hectares of potential private land offered to NZDA hunters through the program. I’m looking forward to working with branches over the next few months to help get these opportunities across the line. 

The team at DOC have been great to work with, and the competition continues to go from strength to strength. It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when hunters, conservation agencies, and sponsors work together with a shared goal. We’re showing the country that Kiwi hunters know how to get the mahi done. 

The AGM also saw a few changes around the NZDA Board table. We farewelled Tim Taylor and Richard Wells, who stepped down after years of dedicated service. It’s been a real privilege working alongside these two passionate and committed blokes. 

We also welcomed Trevor Dibben and Stuart Langslow to the Board—great to have their experience and energy coming onboard. With two Trevs now around the table, we might be in danger of becoming a Fred Dagg sketch. 

Looking forward to the year ahead—see you out there. 

Trev Gratton, NZDA North Island Rep Board Member  

Kia ora NZDA whānau,

I'm excited to be stepping onto the Board this year as one of the North Island representatives, and I’d like to offer a quick introduction for those who don’t know me.

I’m 39 years old and originally from Taranaki, where I spent my youth exploring the hills, hunting goats, and chasing just about anything that moved. Although I stepped away from hunting in my late teens, I rediscovered my passion in my late 20s and since then, big game hunting has become a true obsession. I spend as much time in the mountains as life allows.

I was a long-time member and committee member of the North Taranaki branch, including two years as Club President. A job opportunity brought me and my family (my wife and two kids) to foggy Hamilton, which meant stepping down from that role, but my commitment to the NZDA hasn’t wavered.

When I heard Tim Taylor was stepping down as North Island Rep, I reached out to a few people to understand what the role involved and whether I could contribute meaningfully. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and energy to the Board and helping out wherever I can.

Outside of work and family, my mind is usually in the mountains. I have a particular love for the open tops of the South Island and a growing obsession with hunting Rusa. I’ve spent countless hours glassing for a stag worth shooting and I’m about 90% convinced they don’t actually exist!

I’m looking forward to working with the Board and our members to support the future of hunting, conservation, and ethical outdoor recreation in Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi,
Stuart Langslow

Hi All,

Congratulations to Shaun and the Southland Branch for hosting such a wonderful conference. Plenty of cheese rolls and other yummy food, great facilities, positive vibes and atmosphere, plenty of chat and good weather.

Thanks to the Head Office team for running an excellent conference agenda with an interesting range of speakers on current and appropriate topics. 

It was great to catch up in person with so many Branch representatives at Conference. Thanks to everyone that travelled to help make this a well represented, successful national conference.

Thank you to all those that submitted in support of the Fiordland Wapiti, Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) and associated amendments to the Game Animal Control Act, bill.

1080 continues to be dropped on Stewart Island, however on a positive note, it was decided at conference to pursue the formation of a Whitetail Foundation. Thanks to all involved in supporting this.

To the Branches in the Southern South Island Zone, (south of the Rangitata River), following speaking to most of those representatives there at conference, we have organised another Regional Meeting for the weekend of 31 October to 2 November again at the Beaumont Lodge to be hosted by the Otago Branch. Pencil in the dates, more details to come in due course.

Hot Barrels and Safe Travels.

Mark Elliotte

Not a report, as I’ve only been in the role a week, just a little bit about me…born in Nelson, bred in South Westland (Haast), educated in Chch, employed by NZDF since 1987. Joining as a technician, progressing through the ranks, instructing for 7 years, a couple of overseas tours (Iraq and the UK), and the leadership roles have been many, currently managing a team within the communications and security space as a civilian. Married with an adult daughter and an amazing grandson aged 3…who is itching to get out in the hills with his granddad, or maybe that’s the other way around.

I first joined the NZDA back in 2010, and although I don’t need to be a member to go hunting in this great country, I remain a member because future generations need a strong voice, and supporting NZDA is the best way for this to happen. My father was a Deer culler back in the 50s and 60s, I remember his stories of hunting on horseback in South Westland before there were roads, collecting tails as proof. In one day he managed around 250 tails in the head of the Arawata, before he ran out of ammo. We as rec hunters need to do our bit to ensure these days don’t return, but to do that we need the tools and supporting legislation to enable it. Firearms legislation, Access, HOSI, to name a few are all enablers in this space which we must advocate strongly for, both as an organisation and individuals.

Personally, I love hunting, but I love to teach and guide others new to our sport to hunt even more. I am particularly looking forward to introducing and guiding my grandson into our sport. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction when someone gets their first game animal, to witness their excitement and share in their moment is something special.

I look forward to serving on the NZDA Board, I am up to the challenge. It has been a whirlwind week and I am still getting my head around what the position entails. I see lots of positives for the future if we maintain the gains of the previous few years, although it is never without its challenges particularly when money is tight and advocacy comes at a price. So here my sales pitch, purchase a ticket in the Ute raffle and double your money if you win ie I’ll buy it off you for twice the ticket price, as unfortunately Board members are not allowed to purchase tickets :). So everyone go buy that winning ticket!