Hunters are being urged to have their voices heard on the future management of highly valued game animal herds in New Zealand.

The government is currently consulting on a change to the Game Animal Council Act 2013 through the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill. If passed, the bill would make it clear that the minister for hunting and fishing can establish a Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in a national park.

“If the bill is passed, it will enable sustainable management of highly valued game animal herds in national parks, benefitting both hunting and conservation,” Game Animal Council (GAC) chair Grant Dodson said.

“.. we encourage you to make the most of this opportunity, to submit, and to help enable sustainable, hunter-led game animal management in New Zealand, including national parks.”

GAC chief executive Corina Jordan said hunters are passionate, boots-on-the-ground conservationists who contribute significant efforts to environmental initiatives.

“Not only that, but hunting benefits physical and mental wellbeing, gets kids outside and off devices learning practical skills, while providing free-range meat for whānau and communities,” she said.

The hunting area around Wānaka covers some 20,000 hectares in the Craigie, Albert, Minaret and Rumbling Burn western tributaries of the lake, and on Mt Burke to the east.

Hāwea, Queenstown and Central Otago offer even more hunting opportunities.

Corina said when HOSI is “fully implemented, it will empower hunter-led management of valued introduced game animal herds in a way that recognises and protects their values at the same time as achieving conservation outcomes”.

Grant said the current law for national parks focuses on exterminating game animals as far as possible to achieve a ‘natural state’ - but he says this isn’t feasible.

“Since the law was put in place almost 50 years ago, we have learnt that the dream of exterminating valued introduced species from national parks is not practically or financially feasible, and that hunters play an important role in protecting biodiversity and responsibly managing game animals, including in national parks.”

He said the bill is a great opportunity for hunters.

“This bill is a significant opportunity for hunters to have their voices heard by the Environment Select Committee, and shape New Zealand’s future legislative framework for the benefits of hunting and conservation”.

“Have your voice heard,” he said. “Submit on the bill before July 24.”

PHOTO: Supplied