My Thoughts …

I was saddened recently upon hearing of the passing of longtime hunting and firearms advocate, scholar, NZDA life member and passionate hunter Dr Chaz Forsyth. Chaz has written for NZRod&Rifle over the years, submitted articles and offered advice and information with his notable level head and sharp intelligence. At the time of writing this editorial, we’re able to submit on the update and changes to the current Firearms Act and legislation. The current government are busy balancing and ensuring the Act genuinely provides safety to New Zealanders, is effective, efficient and easy to understand and implement whilst not penalising or vilifying what is a very safe and trustworthy community within our country. We’re also able to submit on the new tahr control plan being devised – there are very few areas where we as stakeholders cannot have a voice. It’s been such a long journey to get to where we are now, and it was advocates like Chaz who are part of our story and who’ve helped establish the more positive, collaborative environment we now find ourselves in. RIP, Dr Forsyth, and we’ll continue to represent the firearms/hunting community as you have in the past.

We would like to congratulate Roy Sloane NZOM on being awarded the NZ Order of Merit for Services to Conservation and Game Hunting. Roy has held several positions within the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and is currently the general manager. His work and the work of the foundation have set the stage for the collaboration we enjoy today. Combined with their trapping and conservation efforts – including supporting women to hunt with an incredible experience in the National Park – he has helped educate our country on the truth that hunters are some of NZ’s top conservationists and we care deeply for the environment. Congratulations Roy.

There have been a few notable changes within our sector over the past few months. Tim Gale has moved on from being general manager (GM) of the Game Animal Council (GAC) and takes up a new role as part owner/operator of Hunting & Fishing, Napier. At the time of writing, Kaylyn Pinney, the current GAC policy advisor is holding the fort until a new GM is appointed. The new GM will have large boots to fill after Tim’s leadership during some of the most monumental advancements in hunting sector, government and NGO collaboration in decades – perhaps ever.

Hunting and Fishing Minister Todd McClay moves aside for new Minister James Meager. I met Todd McClay to discuss our veterans hunting course, SSAANZ, and the benefits of our meeting were far reaching and a genuine boost to our course. Currently, we’re running six courses per year, with room to double that, and having advocates at that top level no doubt helped us. I look forward to hearing and meeting Mr Meager over the next year or so.

The Roar period is here, team, and I wish you a safe and successful season. We’ve had a fantastic few years with no mistaken-identity shooting incidents, due to legal hunting methods, so let’s stay sharp, make good decisions and remember, it’s always another hunter you hear or see until you 100% prove otherwise!

Stay safe and shoot straight!
– Dave Benfell