National hunting and shooting museum opens
Recently, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) celebrated a milestone in the opening of the National Hunting and Shooting Museum and Reference Library at Deerstalkers House, Wellington.
ACT Party conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton is calling for legislation that would ensure hunters and fishers have representation on the Conservation Authority.
He says that hunters and fishers have a “deep connection" to both nature and the environment.
“We enjoy being in the great outdoors, and we’re instrumental in conservation efforts,” Luxton says.
“Every weekend this summer season, thousands of us are out in the bush, and many will contribute to conservation work that would otherwise cost the Department of Conservation and taxpayers billions,” he says.
However, Luxton says hunters lack representation on the New Zealand Conservation Authority, which currently comprises 13 members, including representatives from iwi, the Royal Society, Forest and Bird, and Federated Mountain Clubs.
“Deerstalkers Association members alone dedicate about 184,000 hours annually to conservation activities like habitat restoration, planting, pest control, organised culls, and maintaining backcountry huts and tracks. This is on top of the conservation benefits provided by recreational hunting as a method for game animal management,” he says.
Last year, Luxton lodged a bill that proposes the Minister of Conservation appoint two additional members to the board – one recommended by the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, and a second following consultation with both Fish and Game and the Game Animal Council.
“Giving hunters a stronger voice on the Conservation Authority could foster more beneficial partnerships for both our natural environment and the taxpayer,” he says.
“I hope this bill will gain cross-party support in Parliament,” he concludes.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?