NZDA | North Auckland
President's Report - Words by Ivan Ramsey
President’s Report
It has been a productive period for our club, and I am pleased to share the progress we have made across several key areas. Our commitment to improving facilities and fostering a vibrant community remains our top priority.
Club Facilities and Infrastructure
We have made significant strides in upgrading our club’s infrastructure:
New 50m .22 Range: I am proud to announce the official opening of our new 50-metre .22 range, which provides a fantastic new asset for our members.
Clubhouse Improvements: The clubhouse has received a fresh coat of paint, significantly improving the appearance and maintenance of our shared space, as well as a new roof.
Chiller and Processing Facility: We are in the final stages of completing our on-site chiller and processing facility, which will be a valuable resource for all members.
Training, Events, and Networking
Our focus on education and member participation continues to grow:
NZDA National Conference: We were well-represented at the recent NZDA national conference in Wellington, where we engaged with the wider association and brought back valuable insights.
North Island Hunts Communication Meeting: We recently attended the North Island hunts communication meeting in Taupō. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with other North Island branches, gain perspective on their successes, and hear how the national hunts courses have significantly benefited both the individual branches and the wider hunting community.
Hunts Course: We have successfully completed our latest hunts course and are already well into the preparations for the next one, scheduled for October.
Party Hunts: We have introduced a new focus on organized party hunts to encourage camaraderie and shared experiences in the field. Please keep a look out for our party hunts calendar and get involved.
Governance and Strategic Direction
As we look to the future, the committee is committed to strong leadership and sustainable growth:
New Committee Members: I would like to welcome our new committee members. They bring a clear, energized focus on membership growth and the ongoing improvement of our club facilities.
Strategic Plan: We are currently in the process of forming a comprehensive strategic plan for the club. This roadmap will guide our future initiatives, and we look forward to sharing the details with you in due course.
Thank you to all our members for your continued support and dedication to the club. We are building a strong future together. Enjoy this amazing hunting weather, but as always, stay safe and please send us your photos and experiences so we can share them with our club membership.
Ivan Ramsey
President North Auckland New Zealand Deerstalkers Association
Six Fallow Deer harvested and turned into 80 packs of 500g venison mince for the community.
A great result from Will and the team at NZDA North Auckland with six fallow deer harvested and turned into 80 packs of 500g venison mince for the community.
Will led the effort, with Jess from the committee joining him for the deliveries to Hills Church food bank and Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai.
A big shout-out to Country Meat Processors for processing the deer, and to the wider North Auckland NZDA branch and its members, whose support helped make the donation possible.
A great example of hunters, processors and community organisations working together to get quality wild game into local communities!
A note from Will
Hi all,
Recently the Wild Game Recovery Trust set up the Game Changer NZ programme (https://gamechanger.wgrt.org.nz/), which enables hunters to donate deer to wild game processors so that they can be processed and donated to food banks around the country.
The Trust and the food banks fundraise to pay for the processing, so other than time and ammunition there is no cost to the hunter.
Donations can be made on behalf of community groups like NZDA. Last month a member dropped off 6 fallow deer, on behalf of our branch, to be processed and donated, which resulted in 40kg of mince being donated to food banks in Auckland. If you're in the fortunate position of having an extra animal from a trip or are involved in any culling and are interested in donating to the programme on behalf of the North Auckland Branch, reach out and we can provide some more information around the logistics and how to sign up.
Contact Will Rawlinson on william.rawlinson@nads.org.nz for more information.
Thanks,
Will Rawlinson
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 Jessica.halliday@nads.org.nz to reserve your space - spots are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Mid-Winter Mission – Cold Hands, Full Freezers
A mid-winter hunting trip saw seven hardy hunters head to a well-known Central North Island station spanning a massive 88,000 acres. With temperatures dropping to -5°C, it was the sort of weather that makes you question your life choices… until the first deer appears.
Paul, Steve, Jared, John, Mike, Gavin and Kevin split into morning and afternoon teams to help the station owners reduce the hind numbers. Over four full days, the team covered some serious country - steep hills, deep gullies, waist-high tussock and enough icy ground where the ice kept boots crunching well into the afternoon in places.
The shooting certainly kept everyone on their toes, with a few long-range opportunities that called for steady nerves and a bit of precision. But, as every hunter knows, pulling the trigger is the easy part. The real graft started back at camp each evening, with plenty of skinning, processing and packing before anyone could think about putting their feet up.
Thanks to another great team effort, the job got done, the station owners were happy, and everyone headed home with freezers well on the way to being full.
Four days of hunting from first light until last light, great company, plenty of laughs, and a few stories that will no doubt improve with every retelling for all those involved.
A big thanks to Paul for organising the trip and making it all happen.
Words & Pictures supplied by Steve Arthur & Paul Carrington.
Upcoming Workshops
Hosted by Paul Carrington & Steve Arthur
Hunter Safety Course | October 27th 7-9PM
Whether you’re new to hunting or have years of experience under your belt, our branch is running a Hunter Safety Course built on the knowledge and experience of seasoned hunters from within our membership.
Designed to help keep you, your hunting party, and others safe in the bush, this practical course covers key safety principles every hunter should know.
For just $25, it could be the most valuable investment you make before your next hunt.
Spaces are limited, so get in quick to secure your spot.
Please register your interest via the RSVP on the events page on our website nzdanorthauckland.com
Seipel Estate - For Sale Items
Firearms for Sale –
Tikka T3 .223, laminated/stainless, 1:8 twist, 3 and 5 round mags, Sako Optilok rings with Weaver Grand Slam 6 - 20 target dot, $1,600 ono.
Marlin 1894 Classic , 44 Mag/44 Special, blued/walnut, as new $1,700 ono.
Remington 700 VTR .308, 22” barrel with integral muzzle brake, synthetic stock. Weaver one piece base with Weaver Sure Grip rings. No scope. VG condition, $900 firm.
Winchester M94 30-30 short rifle, Miroku manufacture, as new, perfect condition. $1,650.
There is also a range of items for sale - tap the link below if interested please Ring or text Bob on 022 543 2295
Thankyou!
Piropiro Flats Party Hunt - Words by Will Rawlinson
Matariki weekend saw a group of five of us head into Piropiro Flats for a three-day party hunt and, while the weather turned it on, the thermometer certainly didn't.
Friday night dropped to a frosty -7°C, followed by -6°C on Saturday, making for some very fresh mornings getting out of the sleeping bags. Once the sun got up though, it was hard to complain. The days were clear, still, and about as good as you could ask for in the middle of winter, with some stunning country on show.
The hunting itself was a bit tougher than we'd hoped. A campsite full of dirt bikers kept the area noisier than we had hoped for, which didn't do us any favours when trying to find deer. Even so, it was great to spend time in the bush. There was plenty of native bird life about on show, with kaka making a racket in the bush, whio whistling in the river, and pesky black birds convincing you that a tasty deer was coming towards you.
Vlad managed to bump something while sneaking through the bush, but it was crashing away before he could get a look at it. Richard and his dog, Tui, were the only ones to put a deer on the ground, taking a tasty red spiker on Saturday after putting in the miles. He was also kind enough to share some venison with the rest of us, thanks Richard! Despite the limited success on the venison front, everyone enjoyed plenty of time in the hills, soaking up the beautiful winter conditions and making the most of being out in the bush.
Back at camp, the fire was well appreciated after the long days and helped prevent us from freezing overnight. There were plenty of laughs, and the usual tales that makes these trips what they are. It was also great to meet some new faces in the club and see them getting stuck in. While only one deer came home, everyone left with good memories, a few stories to tell, and another enjoyable weekend spent in good company.
Keep an eye out for future Party hunts & be sure to apply via the events section on the website. www.nzdanorthacukland.com
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 jessica.halliday@nads.org.nz
Bush Yarns - The North Auckland NZDA Podcast.
Got a hunting story to tell?
We’re excited to announce something new for North Auckland NZDA…
Bush Yarns – The North Auckland NZDA Podcast
A podcast created by hunters, for hunters.
We’ll be sitting down with club members, conservationists, guest speakers, new hunters, experienced deerstalkers, dog handlers, volunteers, and everyday Kiwis who share a passion for the outdoors.
From successful hunts and hard-earned lessons to conservation projects, campfire yarns, and the future of hunting in New Zealand, we’ll be sharing the stories that connect our community.
Coming soon.
Who should be our first guest?
If you would like to be a guest speaker please email
Members Stories
A warm welcome to one of our newest members, Hannah, who alongside her husband Drikus, recently completed our HUNTS Course! 👏
Hannah has shared her experience below, and it’s fantastic to see new hunters embracing the opportunity to learn, build confidence, and develop their skills in a supportive environment.
We’re thrilled to have Hannah and Drikus as part of the NZDA North Auckland family and look forward to seeing them out on future club events, training days, and adventures.
Please join us in giving them both a warm welcome to the club! 😊
NZDA - HUNTS Course - Goat Hunt
Looking back on the NZDA Hunts course, the practical goat hunt was definitely one of the highlights for me. There were six of us in our group, including our two volunteer mentors, and it was great to finally get out of the classroom and put everything we’d been learning into practice.
We spent the day navigating, reading sign, stalking through the bush, and experiencing what a real hunt is like from start to finish. The weather couldn’t have been better. It started off as a crisp, cold winter morning before turning into a beautiful day in the hills. The hunt was a success, with three goats harvested across the group. I was lucky enough to take my first billy, which was a real highlight, and I’m looking forward to entering the head in a competition for the first time.
One of the biggest things I learnt was that the work doesn’t stop after the shot. Tracking and recovering an animal can take a lot longer than you expect, and field dressing and carrying it back out was all part of the experience. It gave me a real appreciation for everything that goes into a successful hunt, not just pulling the trigger.
The whole course has been an awesome experience. I’ve learnt so much, and it’s given me the confidence to head out on my own and hunt safely, ethically, and responsibly. I’m really looking forward to spending more time in the bush, building on the skills I’ve learnt, and continuing my hunting journey.
A big thank you to Mike, Brett and all of the volunteer mentors who generously gave up their time to help us throughout the course. Their knowledge, patience, and encouragement made a real difference, and I really appreciate everything they did to help us build the confidence and skills to get started.
Words & Images supplied by Hannah
Range
So good to see everyone making the most of our Range Days! 👏
A big thank you to all our volunteer Range Officers who give up their time to keep everyone safe and help keep our range days running safely and smoothly.
RANGE DAY THIS SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER
18 October
· DO NOT enter any range until you have registered.
· Registration opens at 8:30 am in the club rooms.
· Everyone using a firearm on the property must register.
· Members self-register after having their cards checked.
· Guests and visitors MUST be registered by the duty Registrar
. Read and obey Range Standing Orders - see notes below
Range 1:
Morning.
100m
General practice
Afternoon.
100m
General practice
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Range 2:
Closed in the morning till 12.30 for Hunts Course Training. Open in the afternoon for General Rifle Sighting in.
---------------
Range 3:
9:20 am verbal safety briefing
Morning
Open all day for 22LR using subsonic ammunition only.
(less than 1090 ft per second/332 meters per second) only.
-----------------
Register via our website www.nzdanorthauckland.com Under the events section of the website.
Exciting plans
HUNTS Courses - Our final HUNTS course for 2026 is now fully booked! 🦌
Keen to get involved? Register your interest now for our 2027 HUNTS courses and be among the first to hear when registrations open.
📧 For more information, email Jessica at Jessica.halliday@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
October - Galatea Party Hunt
November - Ladies Hunt - Clements Mill Road
Workshops - Dates to be confirmed.
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
Our Members night continue to be a success each month with 10 new members this month.
To register for next month you can do this via our website.
Benefits of Membership
What does Membership get you?(apart from a rifle range, a clubhouse and a bunch of new mates)
Hunter National Training Scheme (HUNTS) courses.
A national body to lobby government organisations to help protect your sport and firearm rights.
National photography, hunting, and shooting competitions.
Access to the exclusive NZDA App with great deals from JB Hifi, Noel Leeming, Torpedo7, and many more.
New Zealand Hunting and Wildlife magazine (online).
Monthly branch newsletters.
Branch party hunts.
Regular centre fire and rim fire shooting competitions at the local rifle range.
Escape from the suburban life into the New Zealand outdoors.
$10 million liability insurance with a $1 million extension under the Rural Fires Act including exemplary and punitive damages.
You can join via here - https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/branches/north-island/north-auckland
Working Bees
There is always one not too far in the future!
National Wild Goat Hunting Competition 2026
Turn your wild goat hunt – whether it's your first or your fourth, solo or with mates – into meaningful action. Help reduce pressure on New Zealand's landscapes and go in the draw to win.
Competition dates
Hunters: 1 August 2026 – 26 November 2026
Landowners: 10 June 2026 – 26 November 2026
Every eligible hunt contributes to a nationwide effort to reduce wild goat numbers
Been successful? Bring your horns & Tails to be counted our entry dates are below.
North Auckland branch 848 Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, RD 3 Albany, 0793 |
| 10 am to 12 pm
For club nights from 7 pm |
For a full list of all of the rules you can find more info here - National Wild Goat Hunting Competition 2026
Closing - words written by our editor Jess Halliday
👋 A little introduction!
Hey everyone, I’m Jess, the Editor & Secretary & Membership Officer for NZDA North Auckland!
I’m passionate about hunting, the outdoors, and helping share the stories, people, and adventures that make our hunting community so special.
I’m looking forward to bringing you updates from the branch, upcoming events, member stories, hunting adventures, and everything happening within our NZDA North Auckland community.
I welcome all our recent members to the club - My best piece of advice - get stuck in!!! Apply for the party hunts, workshops, hunts course & learn!! No question is ever silly we have a bunch of incredible members in our membership so make the most of it :)
Here’s to celebrating our members, sharing our passion for hunting, and helping grow the next generation of hunters!
Make sure to follow along and keep an eye out for what’s coming next!
If you have any stories, or anything you would like to send to be featured in the Newsletter - feel free to reach out to me via email - jessica.halliday@nads.org.nz
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
Social Media Officer - Steve Arthur /Jess Halliday
HUNTS Instructors - Paul Carmine & Steve Arthur & Mike Richardson
Members Photos
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