North Auckland NZDA Newsletter June 2026

3 days ago
12 min read

President's Report - Words by Ivan Ramsey

As we gather for another year of growth and camaraderie, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our members, new members and our NZDA North Auckland Committee.

Our new member enthusiasm and fresh perspectives are invaluable to our club, and I look forward to seeing how their contributions will shape our future.

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the "old timers" whose vision and dedication laid the groundwork for our club. Their hard work and passion have made our community what it is today. We are grateful for their enduring commitment and the legacy they continue to inspire.

Reflecting on the past year, I am proud to announce that we have been recognised as the fastest growing NZDA club in the country. This growth is a testament to our vibrant community and the welcoming atmosphere we’ve worked hard to create together.

I want to thank each of you for your part in this achievement.

I am also proud of the extensive work carried out by our committee. Their dedication has resulted in numerous successful endeavours, including various party hunts, notably the Kiamanawas, Kawakas, and two very memorable hunts on Stewart Island. These experiences foster our sense of community strengthen our bonds and brings us together as a hunting community.

Additionally, we have organized and delivered monthly members' nights, which have been instrumental in bringing our membership together.

These evenings have included various educational courses that enhance our collective knowledge and skills.

A highlight of the year was our very successful new members' night, generously hosted by Hunting and Fishing Westgate. This event was a fantastic opportunity for new members to connect and immerse themselves in our club.

Furthermore, we have embarked on improving the clubhouse and are close to completing our members chiller facility for animal processing. This new addition will significantly enhance the services we offer and contribute to a more efficient process for our members.

Alongside these initiatives, we have completed two hunts’ courses, providing valuable skills and knowledge to our members. We have also seen significant improvements to our facilities, including the development of a new 50-meter range and enhancements to our 100-meter range. These upgrades will undoubtedly enhance our shooting experience and ensure that our club remains a safe and engaging environment for all members.

As we look to the future, I am thrilled to share that we have begun preparations for our 70th anniversary celebrations in 2028. This milestone offers us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our history and accomplishments as a club and to celebrate the friendships and memories we’ve built over the years.

This is your club, and its success depends on your continued involvement. I encourage each and every one of you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and contribute to our shared passion. I'm incredibly excited about the future of the NZDA North Auckland Branch, and I'm honoured to lead us forward.

Before I conclude, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our patron, Mark Nobilo, who unfortunately cannot be with us tonight. His guidance and support over the years has been invaluable to our club, and we are deeply grateful for his dedication.

Thank you all for your continued support and participation. Let us look forward to another productive year filled with new adventures and achievements.

Ivan Ramsey

President North Auckland New Zealand Deerstalkers Association

50M Range

A new era for our branch & the opening of the 50m Range

After months of planning, hard work and determination, we are proud to announce the official opening of our new 50m Range.

This project has been a long time in the making and represents a significant milestone for our branch. What began as an idea has become a reality thanks to the dedication and commitment of many volunteers who have generously given their time, skills and effort along the way.

A project of this scale only happens with the support of members who rolled up their sleeves, provided expertise and contributed countless hours. On behalf of the branch a sincere thank you goes to everyone who played a part in bringing this facility to life.

To celebrate this achievement, members and guests are invited to join us for the official opening on Sunday 20th June at 12.00pm. The ceremony will include a ribbon cutting and a little fanfare before the

honour of firing the first official shot on the new

range

Following the opening, members are welcome to stay and enjoy a few beers

providing a great opportunity to celebrate the achievement and acknowledge everyone who helped make the project possible.

50M Signage for hire

As our club grows so does our commitment to improving range facilities and creating a space our members can be proud of.

To support these ongoing improvements, we are opening a new opportunity for members and local businesses: naming rights and premium signage placement on the timber wall of our new range.

This is an excellent chance to promote your business and help strengthen the future of our club.

By securing signage or naming rights, you are not just advertising- you are giving back to the club which will directly assist with range maintenance and upgrades.

The range is regularly used by shooters, families, visitors and event participants and will be seen by a consistent stream of engaged members throughout the year

The wooden wall provides a clean visible backdrop for durable outdoor signage. Members will be able to choose from various signage sizes depending on their desired prominence and budget.

If you are interested in securing signage or naming rights e-mail secretary@nads.org.nz to reserve your space - spots are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

First Aid Workshop - Hosted by Kane Turner from KT Services

A strong turnout, plenty of laughs and a few dramatic injuries made for an unforgettable club night.

Kane delivered an engaging and practical session focused on basic first aid skills for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. He covered real-life scenarios that could easily happen in the bush, he demonstrated how to respond to injuries, manage emergencies and make the best use of gear hunters typically carry in their packs.

Using very realistic props Kane showed members how to treat bleeding wounds which kept everyone involved and sparked plenty of discussion. Blood was spilled and audience participation was encouraged.

One lucky member took home a first aid kit donated by Kane for the raffle.

Big thanks to Kane his relaxed style, practical experience, sense of humour made the topic informative and engaging for everyone.

ktservices.co.nz - hop onto KT Services website and explore more of what they have to offer

Archery/Bowhunting Workshop

Hosted by Kevin Watson from Advanced Archery

Our recent Archery and Bowhunting workshop was a fantastic success, with a great turnout of members enjoying perfect weather conditions.

Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of bowhunting, starting with how a bow works and the correct way to safely place an arrow on the string.

Under the expert guidance of Kevin Watson from Advanced Archery members practised aiming technics and learned the key principals of when to draw, when to hold and when to shoot.

The workshop also covered a range of bowhunting methods from stalking, what to do when you get close, and what to do to execute a good shot.

With the combination of hands-on practice, expert instruction made for an enjoyable informative day. Whether members were completely new to archery or looking to improve their skills everyone came away with greater confidence and knowledge.

Thanks to all who attended and Kevin for giving his time which made this workshop so successful.

Hop on to advancedarchery.co.nz and see what Advanced Archery are all about.

April Club Night At Hunting & Fishing Westgate

Our April Club Night at Hunting and Fishing Westgate was a great success with an outstanding turnout from both new and longstanding members.

A big thanks goes out to Matt and the team for hosting the evening and making everyone feel welcome. Members enjoyed catching up over a BBQ sausage while exploring the store and checking out the latest hunting, fishing and outdoor gear.

Members got an informative presentation from Scott Taylor who demonstrated a great range of hunting pack and head torches. The opportunity to see and discuss the products firsthand was greatly appreciated by attendees.

A number of spot prizes added to the fun with several lucky members taking home some great prizes.

It was encouraging to see such strong support from our membership.

Thank you again to Matt and the team for their hospitality and we look forward to hosting them back at our Club House later in the year.

Check out their website huntingandfishing.co.nz

Calling all our women hunters .............. Interested in a womens party hunt?

Have you ever thought about heading into the bush with like - minded women hunters?

Now is the perfect opportunity. We are looking to bring together a group of women from our club for a fun, supportive and enjoyable women's hunt.

Whether you are an experienced hunter or relatively new to the sport, this is a great chance to build confidence, learn from others, and enjoy time in the outdoors.

We are long overdue for a women's party hunt, keep an eye out for further details and register your interest at secretary@nads.org.nz or jessica@deerstalkers.co.nz

Members Stories

Introducing one of our interesting new members from Finland - Krister Hall

A Finnish Hunter's Journey to NZDA North Auckland

Kia ora,

It’s a privilege to introduce myself as one of the newest members of the NZDA North Auckland branch. While I might be a fresh face at the club nights, my connection to this beautiful country actually started thirteen years ago. Back then, I came to study a business degree at Otago University. Like many who come to New Zealand for the first time, I fell in love with the place. The dramatic landscapes, the culture, and the sheer vastness of the wilderness left a permanent mark on me. Ever since I carried a quiet dream with me: one day, somehow, I would make my way back here.

Fast forward more than a decade, and that dream has finally become a reality. My wife and I recently packed up our lives, said goodbye to the northern hemisphere, and made the big move to Auckland. As two avid outdoors people, our primary goal was simple: to enjoy the New Zealand backcountry as much as possible.

To give you a bit of background on where I’m coming from, I have been an active hunter for the last 20 years. Back in Finland, hunting is deeply woven into our heritage, but the logistics look a little different depending on who you are. Because I don't own any private forestry land myself, I have been entirely restricted to hunting on government-owned public land. Thankfully that is not a problem since the Finnish government manages roughly 12 million hectares of public land specifically set aside for recreational hunters to enjoy. Very often, you can spend days out in the woods without crossing paths with anyone else but your hunting buddies. It’s just you, the trees, and the crisp northern air.

Every year at the very start of the hunting season, my friends and I pack up our gear and head way up north for an extended hunting trip. Our main targets are small game, primarily birds and rabbits. We spend our days chasing the trifecta of Finnish game birds: the western capercaillie (Picture 1), a massive, magnificent grouse of the old-growth pine forests, alongside the black grouse (Picture 2) and the elusive hazel grouse. We don't sit in blinds waiting for them to come to us; we walk the terrain we know the birds favour, pushing through thick pine stands and boggy clearings. It’s not uncommon for us to clock up daily hiking distances of 10 to 20 kilometres through rough, uneven terrain. By the time the sun sets, it’s time to head back to the cabin to get ready for the next day.

The most popular game species, however, is the moose (Picture 3). Compared to small game, moose hunting is more organized and regulated. Because a moose is a massive animal and exceptionally clever at evading danger, hunting them requires teamwork. We form large hunting parties, usually consisting of anywhere from 10 to 30 people for a single day's hunt. Trained dogs locate the moose and track its movement in the forest while the hunters track the dogs via GPS, and carefully form lines across known game trails and escape routes. The goal is to create a coordinated perimeter to ensure the evading moose does not slip through the gaps undetected. It is a thrilling, communal experience that relies heavily on clear communication and in understanding the local terrain and animal behaviour.

I’m currently on the lookout for some local hunting buddies who wouldn't mind showing a keen Finn the ropes of the classic Kiwi way of hunting. Whether it’s sitting in a maimai waiting for ducks, stalking red stags through the thick bush, or doing a bit of pest control on goats, I am up for absolutely anything. I’m currently in the process of getting my NZ firearms licence sorted, so until that paperwork clears, I’m happy to help as a dedicated pack mule or spotter.

If you’ve got space on your next trip, or just fancy a chat about the differences between Kiwi deer and Finnish moose, please flick me a message or track me down at the next club night. I’m looking forward to meeting more of you and getting out into the hills!

Cheers,

Krister Hall

027 7243250

Competition Results .

Congratulations to all our members who took part in our Club Competitions .

Club competitions are a great opportunity to have some fun and challange yourself.

We encourage more members to give competitions a go, you don't need to be an expert to participate, just bring your enthusiasm and enjoy the experience.

Congratulations again to all the competitors and winners.

Bolt Action Service Rifle Competition

Name	18 Jan 100m	15 Feb 100m	19 Apr 50m	10 May 200m	Total	Place
Miles B	45				45
Lucian A	41				41
Bob M		61			61
Bill M			152.1	63	215.1	1st
James C			138		138	2nd
Paul C			131.1		131.1	3rd

Centre Fire NSRS Competition

Name	Category	11 Jan 200m	18 Jan 100m	1 Mar 100m	10 May 200m	Totals	Trophy
Dougall C	Senior	113.2	102.1	---		215.3	2nd Senior
Bill M	Senior	104.1	114	126	120	464.1	1st Senior
Paul C	Senior	101.1	--	---		101.1
Pieter N	Senior	95	94	---		189
Bob M	Senior	50	--	--		50
Bob M	Iron Sights	45	--	60		95	Aggregate Cup
Wayne O	Senior	--	96.1	105		201.1	3rd Senior
Glen O	Senior	--	85	115		200
Ben O	Junior	--	59	---		59	1^st junior

The Debbie Harlow Trophy

Name	1 Feb 2026
Dougall C	288.7
James C	295.15
Jason W	290.7
Paul C	253.5
Bill M	235.2
Lyndsay S	203.1

F-Class Trophy

Name	Centre Fire11 Jan
Dougall C	49.1
Jasper C	48.3
Elliot C	48.1
Kellan C	48
Pieter N	37

Hot Shots Trophy

Name	1 Feb	15 Feb	Total	Place
James C	88		88	3rd
Jason W	114		114	2nd
Paul C	46		46
Bill M	117	72	189	1st
Lyndsay S	52		52
Matt A		70	70
Bob M		57	57

Exciting plans

HUNTS Courses - please register your interest in the second course now scheduled for

Oct November, for more info e-mail secretary@nads.org.nz

Party Hunts - We have a newly appointed Party Hunts co-ordinator Will Rawlinson

He is keen to get more party hunts underway.

Feel free to e-mail info@nads.org.nz if you want to be involved.

Confirmed

Sept - Heli Sika fly into Oamaru

Oct - Ladies Hunt

Workshops - Confirmed for the next six months

Reloading
Marksmanship
Butchery
Navigation
Photography
Safety in the Bush
Knife Making

Our newly appointed workshop co-ordinator, Morgan Payne, would love to hear from any members who have suggestions for future workshops. e-mail info@nads.org.nz

Members Night

Another visit from Matt and his team from Westgate Hunting and Fishing is planned for July's Club Night.

A night with Sam the Trap Man Thursday 20th August this will be a great night check out his website and book samthetrapman.nz

Competitions

Measuring Day for trophy heads and skins 14th June - refer to our website for details under the events tab.

Club Photo competition entries accepted now, to be judged by 14th June.

Working Bees

There is always one not too far in the future!

NZDA 78th National Conference 2026 - 24th to 26th July at Lower Hutt Events Centre 30c Liangs Road, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt, Wellington.

All NZDA members are invited to attend, for conference schedule, costs and booking refer to deerstalkers.org

Closing - words written by our editor

As we move into the second half of the year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our three new committee members Morgan, Jess & Will. Thank you for stepping forward to help guide our club into the future. Volunteering your time and energy is no small commitment, and I encourage all members to support them as they settle into their new roles.

I would like also to acknowledge and sincerely thank our retiring committee members, Mike Simms, Geoff Mentor and Mike Richardson. There contributions have helped shape the club into where it's at today. Between them they total 26 years of commitment and experience invested in our club over so many areas from armourer, range and clubhouse maintenance, HUNTs co-ordinator, range officers, working bees, beer fridge stocker, BBQ chef, bonfire lighter, floor sweeper, rubbish mover .... and the list goes on.

The past six months have been an exciting and productive period for the club. We have seen excellent participation across a range of workshops, club nights, party hunts and days at the range.

The opening of the 50-metre range has now been announced which will be a fantastic addition to our range. The chiller is incredibly close to completion, and our Club House is receiving a well-deserved facelift with a lick of fresh paint.

On a more personal note, this newsletter marks my final contribution as secretary. The time has come for me to step back from my club responsibilities and focus on other priorities.

Looking back the past three years have been a rewarding experience, I have enjoyed working alongside our committee and club members and it has been especially satisfying to witness the advancements and improvements made throughout the club during my time

Thank you to the committee and members who have supported me, happy hunting and safe shooting.

Lesley ( retiring secretary, new members officer and events co-ordinator !)

Committee Members

President - Ivan Ramsey

Vice President - Paul Carrington

Treasurer - Sonja Brown

Secretary - Jess Halliday

New Members Officer - Jess Halliday

Facility Development - Gavin Green

Chief Range Officer - Bob McMillan

Hunts Party co-ordinator - Will Rawlinson

Workshop co-ordinator - Morgan Payne