About Whanganui NZDA
Our Club Mission
Our mission is to promote safe, responsible and ethical hunting practices while providing members with opportunities to explore the outdoors, develop their skills and build lifelong friendships.
We are committed to upholding the reputation of our club, respecting and protecting the environment we enjoy, and adhering to all relevant legislation and regulations.
Through a diverse range of activities and events, including hunting opportunities throughout the Whanganui region, competitions, educational workshops and youth mentoring initiatives, we aim to share knowledge, build confidence and foster a lasting appreciation for the outdoors.
By collaborating with other organisations, engaging with our community and supporting targeted conservation and outdoor projects, we strive to make a positive and lasting contribution to our local environment.
What makes our club unique is the experience, knowledge and passion of our members, combined with our strong sense of community and commitment to supporting one another. Our members bring a wealth of knowledge about hunting grounds, outdoor skills and responsible hunting practices, creating an environment where everyone can learn and grow.
Together, we foster a welcoming club culture that blends structured learning with informal social activities.
We value camaraderie, knowledge-sharing and networking, creating opportunities for members of all experience levels to connect, develop their skills and build friendships that last a lifetime.
What to expect
As a member of our outdoor activities club, you will join a like-minded group of people who love a good yarn and are passionate about responsible hunting practices in the Whanganui area.
If you're interested in experiencing our hunting events in Whanganui firsthand, feel free to pop down to a Club Night on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Our Club rooms are located at 100 Peat Street, Whanganui.
NZDA Code of Ethics
A Member of NZDA will: approach recreational hunting from the highest possible level of ethics, taking into account the welfare of the animals hunted, while preventing cruelty by minimizing distress and suffering, and ensuring the humane killing of animals during hunting events in Whanganui. They will not hunt or carry a firearm on property without the proper approval of the owner, occupier, or controlling authority, strictly observing any imposed conditions. Members will act as responsible firearms owners and comply with current firearms laws. They will avoid unnecessary or deliberate damage to the environment, respect property, and consider other users of the outdoors. Additionally, they will advocate sensible conservation practices at all times and promote New Zealand's biodiversity 'in situ'. Members will practice the Field Guidelines when engaging in outdoor activities as part of the club. By promoting and abiding by the Rules, Field Guidelines, and this Code of Ethics, they will exemplify responsible hunting practices as dedicated Members of NZDA.
1. Ethical Hunting and Animal Welfare
Members should:
- Practise ethical hunting that minimises animal distress and suffering.
- Ensure animals are dispatched humanely and efficiently.
- Use sporting firearms of an appropriate calibre and power for the game species being hunted, supporting quick and humane kills.
- Make the fullest possible use of harvested game and avoid unnecessary wastage of this valuable resource.
2. Safety, Training and Responsibility
Members are encouraged to prioritise safety through:
- Obtaining appropriate training and promoting safe practices among fellow hunters.
- Wearing sufficient high-visibility clothing that contrasts with the surrounding environment and game being hunted, allowing hunters to be readily identified by others.
- Recognising that high-visibility clothing is an important risk-management measure, while maintaining the fundamental responsibility of positively identifying the target before taking a shot.
3. Respect for Land, Environment and Research
Responsible members should:
- Respect private property, landowners and the natural environment.
- Support conservation and responsible outdoor recreation.
- Assist with the collection of research information from harvested animals for NZDA and related research programmes, contributing to improved understanding and management of wild game populations.
4. Wild Game and Fair Chase
Wild Game Animal: NZDA defines a Wild Game Animal as an animal belonging to a feral, self-sustaining population of game. This includes recognised feral ranges and new or satellite herds established through natural spread, liberation or escape.
Fair Chase: Fair Chase refers to the ethical, legal and sportsmanlike harvesting of free-ranging Wild Game Animals. Animals should have a genuine, unimpeded opportunity to escape, whether hunted on private or public land.
5. Trophy Competitions and Fair Chase Requirements
To qualify for NZDA National Antler, Horn and Tusk Competitions, trophies must meet the organisation's Fair Chase requirements. These include:
- No fee or payment being made in connection with the trophy.
- The animal being legally harvested under defined Fair Chase conditions.
- The animal not being taken through restricted methods, including:
- Capturing or restraining the animal in an enclosed area.
- Using spotlights or night vision equipment.
- Hunting from an aircraft, powered vehicle or vessel.
- Coursing animals with dogs, except for wild pigs.
Ultimately, every trophy should represent a legally harvested Wild Game Animal, taken ethically and in accordance with NZDA's Fair Chase principles.
These principles help protect the integrity of the sport, promote responsible hunting and ensure that NZDA members contribute positively to wildlife management, environmental stewardship and the reputation of recreational hunting.