Hunting and Fishing Minister, James Meager says two new appointments to the Game Animal Council (GAC) will help to broaden its expertise and ensure it has the community connections required to drive New Zealand’s largest-ever hunter-led game animal management workstreams.
Minister Meager has appointed Lisa Chase and Simon Cameron as councillors for one-year terms, from 1 October.
“Ms Chase and Mr Cameron will be valuable additions following recent designations of New Zealand’s first two Herds of Special Interest (HOSI): the Fiordland Wapiti, and Sika in Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks,” the Minister said.
Ms Chase brings governance experience through roles as a Trustee of Tūwharetoa-owned Waihi Pukawa Trust, operating the North Island’s largest deer farm. She was previously a Trustee of the Owhaoko B&D Trust, which has a hunting-focused business operating within the Sika range and works with key HOSI stakeholders.
“Lisa provides a valuable connection between the GAC, who will manage the Sika HOSI in the central North Island, and the community, who will be relied on to help deliver on-the-ground deer management. There are significant opportunities for locals, particularly youth, to engage with the HOSI and gain the skills, experience and knowledge necessary for successful careers in wild animal management,” Mr Meager says.
Mr Cameron has held several governance roles with Federated Farmers, including West Coast Provincial President.
“Farmers have identified wild animal management as a key issue, and it is important that we work across all sectors to find combined solutions to common problems. Simon will be tasked with keeping our farmers and hunters connected, improving access to hunting opportunities, and better utilising the expertise and resources of both groups to manage deer populations to a sustainable level,” Mr Meager says.
“This is an opportunity to collaborate, identify problem areas and deliver real, practical solutions for farmers and hunters. Partnership, not partisanship, will be what leads us to better hunting, farming and conservation outcomes.
“Simon’s geographic proximity to the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation will be an added benefit as we roll out the country’s first Herd of Special Interest in Fiordland.”
Mr Meager says the appointments round off a series of governance changes that strengthen the GAC’s role as a statutory manager of game animals in New Zealand.
Recent appointments also include former Deputy Prime Minister and current Chair of Pharmac, Paula Bennett, and experienced venison exporter and meat processor, Jim Goodall. Wellington Airport CEO and existing GAC Councillor, Matt Clarke, was also recently appointed as Chair of the Council.
“The GAC has delivered a strong programme of work since its inception in 2013, and these latest appointments reflect the importance of having strong governance in place to lead the Council into the next phase of game animal management in New Zealand,” Mr Meager said.
