'Give hunters a say on conservation' - ACT

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.