Fines are being introduced for people who break the laws that protect native species and conservation land.

File photo. Photo: DOC

The Department of Conservation can issue warning letters and in serious cases prosecute people who flout the rules.

In addition, it now has the option to issue fines with an infringement notice.

Don Hammond has been the chairman of the New Zealand Game Animal Council (GAC) for nearly six years. Matt Gibson sat down with Don to learn about what the GAC is, how it works, the challenges it faces, and most importantly why hunters from New Zealand should care deeply about the Game animal council. Past challenges, recent wins, and future plans. If you’re a hunter and you care about NZ hunting, the game animals we have, the public land we hunt on, and the natural environment we hunt in you need to listen to this podcast and share it far and wide.

A major outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) is occurring in Europe and Asia. Many wild boar in these countries have become infected and most die.

ASF is highly contagious and infects both domestic and wild pigs. In Europe, the disease is moving back and forth between these populations making eradication difficult.

ASF is not a danger to humans or your dogs but an outbreak would be devastating for the New Zealand economy.

Pigs with ASF are slow-moving, may have diarrhoea, and often you will see blood spots on their organs when you open them up.

NZ Game Animal Council
Media Statement

20 March 2019

MSSA’s unnecessary for recreational hunting

“The conversation New Zealand is now having regarding the use of military-style semi-automatic firearms (MSSA’s) is important and the Game Animal Council wishes to clarify several aspects in relation to their use for hunting game animals,” says Chair Don Hammond.