National Hunting and Shooting Museum and Reference Library
Preserving our hunting, big game, and shooting heritage.
NZDA proudly supports and fosters our hunting heritage. We welcome all visitors to our hunting and big game museum and reference library at Wellington.
Grand Opening
Left: Hon. Minister John Meager. Centre: Sir Mark Dunajtschik (left), Hon. Minister John Meager, CEO Gwyn Thurlow, and Chairman of the National Heritage Trust Bob Badland opening the museum on Friday 14th February 2025. Right: Gwyn presenting the Minister with a commemorative Svord knife.
Left: Left: Hon. Minister Nicole McKee with Hon. Minister John Meager. Centre: CEO Gwyn Thurlow and Minister Nicole McKee opening the Gunroom on Friday 14th February 2025. Right: Minister Nicole McKee alongside Sir Mark Dunajtschik.
Left: Heritage Trust members alongside Hon. Minister Nicole McKee, Hon. Minister John Meager and GAC General Manager Kaylyn Pinney. Centre: CEO Gwyn Thurlow addressing guests on the upper floor of the museum. Right: Gwyn presenting Minister McKee with her custom Svord knife.
Photographs: Various sights to be seen around the museum. Come and see it for yourself.
Location
The NZDA museum is housed at Deerstalkers House along with our National Office team at Thorndon, Wellington.
Our museum is operated by the NZDA National Heritage Trust, a registered charity. Staffed by a small, dedicated team with assistance of volunteers, we are open to the public.
Although the museum is open, the exhibits are still being assembled so a tour is recommended to get information on each of the mounted trophies.
Hours of operation
The Museum is open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm daily.
Volunteers with in-depth knowledge of the exhibits are sometimes here on Friday mornings but it is best to call ahead of time to check if they are in attendance.
About the NZDA Heritage Trust
In the more than 150 years since the introduction of game animals to New Zealand there have been many traditions created, many fine trophies taken, and a legacy of hunting lore established which is unique to this country. The heritage of our pioneering past has brought a familiarity with firearms and a love of the firearm related field sports and recreation as well as a realisation of the importance to all of us of our bush, mountains, lakes and rivers.
Founded in 2000, the New Zealand Deerstalkers National Heritage Trust was set up to find, collect, preserve and display historic material relating to hunting, deerstalking, shooting and firearms so that future generations can appreciate how the sport developed and how it used to be.
Initial investigation has shown that there is an enormous amount of hunting related material existing in the hands of old hunters or their families, much of which is unique and of historic interest. In many instances of families are uncertain as to what to do with such material.
The library is located in Wellington and is for the use of students, researchers and any members of the general public who wish to study matters relating to hunting, shooting, bog game animals or firearms in New Zealand.
Mission and Purpose
- To collect, protect, and display books, publications, original manuscripts research documents (published or unpublished), diaries, maps or any printed material relating to hunting or shooting
- To retain photographs, film transparencies, glass plates or negatives, movie films, video or audio tapes, CD Roms, DVDs or any other recorded material, drawings, paintings and any other artistic work relating to the same subject matter.
- To promote, encourage and assist studies and research on matters relating to hunting and shooting, introduced game animals, flora and fauna and their inter-related effects.
Material Sought
The Trust welcomes donations, gifts or long term loan of trophy heads, books, original manuscripts, research papers, films, maps, photographs or transparencies, videos or movie films, hunting equipment, drawings or paintings of historical importance. Material donated or loaned will be acknowledged by appropriate documentation.
Newton McConochie with his Wapiti Trophy