Hunter representation under threat
Recreation is under assault in this country, as Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage moves funding away from recreational services and excludes stakeholder views. The most recent failures – an arrogance not to consult adequately with hunters regarding the wholesale tahr cull in the Southern Alpine area and to isolate the Game Animal Council by freezing funding and its mandate. This could have serious ramifications.
New Zealand’s great outdoors is the best in the world. We can proudly boast to have some of the most plentiful forests, plains and waterways and, therefore some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities.
New Zealand has a long-standing hunting culture that is supported by a large community of recreational and commercial hunters. Every year, almost 200,000 people head into our forests and bush to engage in recreational hunting.
Not only this, hunters have an innate ability to get into the deepest back blocks which adds to predator control efforts to help protect our native species.
Hunting brings value to the many New Zealanders who engage responsibly in the activity, but it also brings about a broader benefit to New Zealand by attracting people from overseas.
It is estimated that every year almost 30,000 international visitors come to New Zealand, spend money in our towns and communities and engage in our outdoors through hunting
Hunting is part of our way of life, and people feel strongly about it. That’s why we’ve seen such a strong reaction to the Government’s proposed tahr cull.
The value hunting brings to New Zealand is precisely why we need to ensure the activity is well supported by Government and that attention given to the communities and businesses involved to ensure we can guarantee sustainable hunting opportunities into the future.
National believes tahr numbers do need to be sensibly managed, but conservation decisions should be based on science not ideology.
And a proper process must be followed so New Zealanders and key stakeholders are allowed to have their say.
There is no good reason why hunters were not adequately consulted on Ms Sage’s cull, and advice from hunters should have been incorporated into the operation to maintain the herds’ sustainability such as targeting nannies rather than bulls, and juveniles.
The Government needs to preserve the use of the herd and ensure fair access for hunters by balancing the sustainability of the herd with the value we can gain from both recreational and commercial hunting but also balance recreation with preservation of our natural landscape, flora and fauna.
This is a clear indication that the longterm future of hunter representation in Government decisions is under threat.
We have a minister who does not feel a need to listen to the hunting industry and recreational hunters and doesn’t value the effort that hunters offer in the protection of our biodiversity.
Conservation is about conserving our native flora and fauna and protecting our diverse and unique landscapes.
However, it is also about empowering recreationists to enjoy our conservation lands and be involved in its conservation efforts.
Excluding key recreational groups from conservation operations will only alienate and isolate New Zealanders from their birthright.
Sarah Dowie is the MP for Invercargill and National’s conservation spokesperson.
There is no good reason why hunters were not adequately consulted on Ms Sage’s cull.