6 April 2011

The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association President, Mr Alec McIver, commended the politicians who had contributed to the decision announced by the Minister of Conservation to create a Game Animal Council.

The decision appears to accept many of the recommendations in the report submitted last year by the Game Animal Council Establishment Committee.

The proposal for a statutory body to manage deer, chamois, tahr and wild pig and in cooperation with the Department of Conservation has NZDA’s support. Of particular interest to NZDA is the recognition of game animals as a resource valued by many within New Zealand rather than as pests.

This announcement would be welcomed by NZDA which since 1937 had advocated for a management regime in which hunters had some say.

Mr McIver stated that after many years of frustration, there was now a way forward for a coordinated approach to the management of the valued game animals.

Within the framework of a statutory body recreational, commercial and conservation interests would be able to find solutions to long standing differences which were based on entrenched positions.

As a organisation representing hunters, NZDA was looking forward to the development of agreed national standards for hunting activities and collaboration with DOC, Police, Federated Farmers and land owners to address issues such as trespass and poaching.

Mr McIver commends the two successive governments and the four Ministers of Conservation who had overseen the process that preceded the announcement. NZDA acknowledges the key role of Mr Peter Dunne (UnitedFuture) whose contribution could not be over estimated. The establishment of a Game Animal council has been a condition of his ‘confidence and supply agreement’ with both Labour and the current National governments and his support has always been consistent and up front.

NZDA has confidence that both Hon Peter Dunne and Hon Kate Wilkinson will support the progression of the legislation necessary to set up the council. Both politicians can expect to receive the support of NZDA and its affiliated members throughout the process.

ENDS

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