Thread: Its happening now part of history.

Originally Posted by Woody

@Tahr. This a good appeal. However it wad addressed to the then minister of hunting almost a year ago. That minister has the portfolio no longer.
Do you know if the NZDA Appeal has haf any real effect on the current activities and plans of ZIP and DoC?

In NZDA news letter last week:

Rakiura Whitetail Trust Formed
A Big Step in the Right Direction

Dear Bruce,

We’re pleased to share some fantastic news for New Zealand hunters. The Rakiura Whitetail Trust has officially been formed.

A big thank you to NZDA Immediate Past President Craig Benbow, along with Roy Sloan and Adam Fairmaid from the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, who took the time and effort to form the Trust. We also acknowledge NZDA Life Members John DeLury and Ray Phillips, who, through their involvement with the Rakiura Hunter Camps Trust, strongly support and endorse the Rakiura Whitetail Trust — as NZDA does.

We also understand that additional trustees from among local hunters on the island are represented, although we do not yet know their identities. Your collective commitment on behalf of recreational hunters is deeply appreciated.

The Rakiura Whitetail Trust will advocate for the sustainable management of the whitetail deer population on Rakiura / Stewart Island. This is a vital step in ensuring the herd, a significant part of our hunting heritage, remains for future generations.

Why the Trust matters:
Whitetail deer on Rakiura face threats from National Park status and lack of legal protections.
The Predator Free Rakiura project could significantly impact the herd.
Rational debates, ecologically sound approaches and methodologies are needed for the management of Whitetail deer on Rakiura

The Trust’s objectives include:
Engaging directly with DOC and ZIP.
Minimising the impact of pest control toxins on whitetail populations.
Developing long-term management strategies with the Rakiura community.
Promoting evidence-based, ecologically sound deer management.

How you can help:
Support from all hunters, especially whitetail hunters, is essential. The Trust will soon launch a Rakiura Whitetail Supporters Club and a new website. In the meantime, they need immediate backing to hit the ground running.

📧 To support the Trust or find out more, email RakiuraDeer@gmail.com

This is a huge win for hunters, herd management, and anyone who values New Zealand’s hunting heritage. Let’s get behind it.
Follow the Rakiura Whitetail Trust Facebook Page

NZDA IPP Craig Benbow, Hon Todd McClay, and NZDA National President Callum Sheridan
At the 77th NZDA National Conference, held in Invercargill in July, and with the theme “Wapiti and Whitetail”, delegates considered a specific agenda item discussing “the Future of Whitetail Herd”. All branches, except one, present agreed that NZDA, as the national body representing recreational hunters (Rule 3.1(b)), should be ready to initiate or support the creation of a dedicated whitetail deer focused organisation to safeguard our valued whitetail herds.

Conference subsequently approved the NZDA assisting the establishment of a Whitetail legal entity interest group — a national mechanism to be activated when required for the protection of the Wakatipu and Rakiura / Stewart Island herds. This decision was a direct exercise of NZDA’s constitutional mandate under Rule 3.2(g) to encourage and assist with the formation of other organisations deemed necessary or desirable in the interests of the sport and outdoors recreation generally. It also reflected the Association’s fundamental purpose under Rule 3.1(a) to ensure the traditions of recreational hunting and the rights of recreational hunters are protected, advanced, and advocated for.

The subsequent formation of the Rakiura Whitetail Trust (which includes as a Trustee, NZDA Immediate Past President C Benbow) delivers on the Stewart Island element of that mandate, meaning the whitetail-focused foundation will not need to be activated for that herd at this time. NZDA will step in if needed, but will also continue to use its own voice, representation, and seat at the table. NZDA has been the sole hunter voice on this issue, up until the welcome news that the Rakiura Whitetail Trust will now join the fight, and NZDA will continue to use our own voice — we will be present at all meetings, representing the interests of hunters nationally. A national Whitetail Foundation remains available should protection of the Wakatipu whitetail herd be required in future.

As our members know, NZDA has already met with Ministers and expressed our views on Whitetail herd on Stewart Island and the use of 1080 on Stewart Island. Our letters and correspondence are attached:
Letter to Minister for Hunting and Fishing dated 29 August 2024
Letter of reply to NZDA dated 25 September 2024

Hon Todd McClay’s letter of response to NZDA
This outcome demonstrates that NZDA had already anticipated and authorised protective action at a national level, countering any suggestion that hunters were not taking action. It is a clear example of NZDA carrying out its constitutional purpose — representing hunters, protecting valued game animals of national interest, and enabling the formation of bodies to achieve those aims.